Ivory Coast coach Ulrich Stielike has chosen Didier Drogba for the Elephants' final squad ahead of the 2008 African Cup of Nations, despite the Chelsea striker's knee surgery last month. Drogba has been in major doubt for the Ghana finals, where the Ivorians will be tackled by Nigeria, Mali and Senegal in Group B. However, the 29-year-old is set to leave Chelsea for the Nations Cup along with compatriot Salomon Kalou and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien. "It is a difficult situation for me and for all the African players who are at the club and we want to play the maximum games for Chelsea," Drogba told Chelsea TV. "I am feeling good, recovering from this injury, and it's good to be on the pitch and start training again." The 2006 runners-up will start their pre-tournament camp in Kuwait on January 7th, 11 days before flying to Sekondi for the African showpiece. Ivory Coast Squad Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren, Belgium), Tiasse Kone (Africa Sports), Stephan Loboue (SpVgg Greuther Furth, Germany). Defenders: Athur Boka (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Constant Djakpa (Pandurii Targu Jiu, Romania), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal, England), Steve Gohouri (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Abdoulaye Meite (Bolton Wanderers, England), Kolo Toure (Arsenal, England), Marc Zoro (Benfica, Portugal). Midfielders: Emerse Fae (Reading, England), Christian Koffi Ndri (Le Mans, France), Siaka Tiene (St Etienne, France), Gneri Yaya Toure (Barcelona, Spain), Didier Zokora (Tottenham Hotspur, England). Forwards: Aruna Dindane (Racing Lens, France), Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou (both Chelsea, England), Abdelkader Keita (Olympique Lyon, France), Arouna Kone (Sevilla, Spain), Bakary Kone (Nice, France), Gervais Yao Kouassi (Le Mans, France), Boubacar Sanogo (Werder Bremen, Germany).
