Sao Paulo, June 12: Didier Drogba has given Ivory Coast an injury scare ahead of their World Cup Group C opener against Japan Saturday after leaving training early with a thigh injury.

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The 36-year-old limped off the pitch at the team's training base in Aguas de Lindoia, near Sao Paulo, Wednesday after clashing with former Tottenham Hotspur defender Didier Zokora, reports Xinhua.

Sabri Lamouchi's team was due to have a final training session Thursday morning before travelling to Recife for Saturday's clash at Pernambuco Arena.

Drogba is crucial to the Ivory Coast's chances of progressing beyond the World Cup group stage for the first time.

The clash against Japan will be followed by matches against Colombia June 19 and Greece five days later.

IANS