Ivory Coast book London date with Italy

The Ivory Coast will take on Italy in a friendly at English side West Ham United’s Upton Park stadium in east London on August 10, the Ivorian federation announced on Friday.

The Ivorians, who had a disappointing World Cup failing to qualify from a group that included Brazil and Portugal, are using the game as preparation for their opening 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda on September 4.

The Elephants will be without Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who is expected to be out of action for three weeks following surgery on a groin injury.

They should, however, have a new coach in place with Frenchman Gerard Gili heading the list of candidates – which also includes Argentinean Jose Pekerman – to succeed the Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson who took them to South Africa.

Gili was in charge of the Ivory Coast Under-23 side that qualified for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.