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The latest sports news, including the CAN 2023 qualifiers and Didier Drogba's run for the presidency of the Ivorian Football Federation.


The draw for the qualifying round of the 2023  was held in South Africa on April 19.

In all, 48 countries will fight it out in the qualifying stage of the competition, ahead of the finals which will take place in Ivory Coast between June 23 and July 23 next year. 

Kenya and Zimbabwe have been suspended by FIFA from all football activities, however they were in the draw and could still play if the suspensions are not lifted two weeks before the first round begins on June 1.

If the suspensions aren't lifted by mid-May, both federations will be considered eliminated from the competition and their groups will be composed of three teams, with the top two qualifying.

The suspension of the Zimbabwe and Kenya teams was due to government interference in the countries' football associations.

 

Drogba out of race for football presidency

In other news, Didier Drogba came third in the first round of elections for the presidency of the Ivorian Football Federation, meaning he is no longer in the race. 

The ex-Marseille, Chelsea and Galatasaray striker, who won 21 votes during the April 23 ballot, was not considered favourite to win but was optimistic at the time. 

He finished behind Sory Diabaté, who gathered 50 votes, and Yacine Idriss Diallo, the most voted candidate with 59. 

In total there were six candidates who officially presented their candidacy for the presidency of the Football Federation of Côte d'Ivoire (FIF). 

The Chelsea No.11 and international has represented Ivory Coast in a total of 105 games, scoring 65 goals. 

After two years of political turmoil and questions over the eligibility of some candidates following the death of incumbent president Augustin Sidy Diallo at the age of 61, it was necessary for FIFA to intervene and appoint a Normalisation Committee to carry out the election.



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