Drogba dreaming of Soccer City success

And Drogba sees no reason why the Ivorians cannot make the final in Soccer City, Johannesburg next summer, after a 1-1 draw with Malawi at the weekend guaranteed The Elephants a place at next summer's global showpiece.

“It is going to be a challenge, but my team-mates and I want to make history and change the way the world sees African football,” he said.

“I hope that we'll be the team that is going to go to the final and win the competition.”

Ivory Coast are the second African outfit behind Ghana to have their 2010 World Cup place confirmed along with hosts South Africa, and Drogba hopes all three can contribute positively under the global glare of the biggest footballing event.

“Let's do everything to show people a different Africa," he said.

"I was here in South Africa for the FIFA Confederations Cup in June and everything was perfect. The stadiums are good and the people in South Africa are very friendly.

“Perhaps we can make the quarter-finals and then the semi-finals, this is something we can achieve."

The 2010 tournament will be his side’s second successive World Cup, after they were knocked out in the group stages at Germany in 2006.

Bookmakers have placed Ivory Coast at 33/1 to win the competition.