IVORY COAST: Didier Drogba receives hero's welcome as he brings home trophy for African Footballer of the Year

Record ID: 181896

  • Title: IVORY COAST: Didier Drogba receives hero's welcome as he brings home trophy for African Footballer of the Year
  • Date: 28th March 2007
  • Summary: SUPPORTER OF IVORIAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM MOVES FORWARD WHILE HOLDING BANNER (SOUNDBITE) (French) UNIDENTIFIED FOOTBALL SUPPORTER SAYING: "We are proud of him, he has improved the image of our country. He is great, he is great. He is a leader, not a loser."
  • Embargoed: 12th April 2007 13:00
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  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAK6DJNBTWL37MNBYJSQKJ21CF
  • Story Text: Excitement was in the air as Ivorians camped at the airport in Abidjan on Monday (March 26) waiting for their football hero Didier Drogba to arrive.
    This was the first time Drogba was coming home with his title as the African Footballer of the Year. He won the award while in Ghana in 2006 and finally came home with his trophy to celebrate the win with his countrymen.
    "We are proud of him, he has improved the image of our country. He is great, he is great. He is a leader, not a looser,"a supporter of the Ivorian football team said.
    From the moment Drogba's return was announced, hundreds of football supporters, young and old led by an array of officials went to Abidjan's international airport Houphouet-Boigny, to give their star a hero's welcome.
    The crowd sang and danced, waiting at the entrance of the VIP lounge whilst local authority officials were able to go to the tarmac and wait for the plane to watch Drogba come down holding his trophy.
    Ivorian newspapers celebrated his return on Tuesday (March 27).
    "Until today we haven't had any player from Ivory Coast who has won this African golden trophy for football. It's a good thing that Drogba has this trophy today. It's a good thing for Ivory Coast, that's what we think," said street trader, Koffi Brou.
    This was the first time for Drogba, who plays for English team Chelsea, to be named African Footballer of the Year. He beat Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o, who plays for Barcelona and has won the award for the past three years. Chelsea team-mate Michael Essien, finished third.
    Dignitaries from all over Ivory Coast gathered at the presidential Palace to congratulate Drogba.
    He received the award, which is based on voting by Africa's 53 national team coaches, in Accra, but during the ceremony he told officials he was overjoyed to finally be able to share his award with his fellow Ivorians.
    "After Ghana I was happy, but I was also sad because I couldn't come back to my country to celebrate this with you. Today I am, and I hope that we can celebrate together. Thank you for the reception you have given me," Drogba said during the ceremony.
    Drogba, who is also an ambassador for peace, had also wanted to go to Bouake, in the rebel held North of the country, in the hope that it would contribute to the unification of the country.
    "You concern yourself with the issue of peace and you are right, because if we don't have peace in our country we cannot progress. The peace has arrived, the war is over," Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo, said.
    Drogba's victorious return is a another shinning moment for Ivory Coast after the government recently signed a peace deal with the New Forces rebel leaders.
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