Walter Wilson Nana, AfricaNews reporter in Buea, Cameroon
Chelsea striker and captain of the Elephants of Ivory Coast, Didier Drogba, successfully, went through a groin operation over the weekend. Drogba, 32, struggled with the groin problem for much of last season. The surgical treatment was needed to ensure a successful next season.
A Chelsea statement read: "Didier Drogba successfully underwent minimally invasive surgery on the groin injury that had troubled him for some of last season. The decision to perform the procedure after his return from the World Cup was made to optimize his rehabilitation, and he is expected to return to full training in approximately three weeks."
The Ivorian star is unlikely to recover in time for the Community Shield clash against Manchester United at Wembley on August 8 and could miss the start of Chelsea's Premier League title defense as well.
Drogba's injury is the latest blow to Chelsea manager, Italian-born Carlo Ancelotti, who has already seen Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech and Brazilian defender Alex ruled out for a month due to injuries suffered in training last week.
The Ivorian, who hit 37 goals last season to fire Chelsea to the double, was hindered by an arm injury at the just ended 2010 FIFAWorld Cup and scored just once in three matches as his country crashed out at the group stage.
