Ivory Coast concerns over Kalou unfounded

Published: 27 Jan 2012 - 17:46:51

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Ivory Coast concerns over Kalou unfounded

Ivory Coast's fears that influential striker Salomon Kalou had suffered serious injury have proved unfounded.

The Ivorians secured their ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Wednesday but satisfaction was tempered by the sight of the Chelsea star limping off clutching his thigh in the 65th minute of the 2-0 win over Burkina Faso.

Ivory Coast manager Francois Zaoui, talking immediately after the game in Malabo, said: "He's been a pivotal player for us since we began our warm-up matches. He scores goal and sets up goals and that's why it's going to penalise us.

"We're worried that he's suffered a strain or a tear because he pulled up so suddenly. We'll find out more after a scan."

But tests carried out on Friday revealed nothing untoward.

"It was more a scare than any damage, Kalou felt pain behind the thigh but it's not a hamstring or tear," the team's press officer told AFP.

Kalou set the Ivorians on their way to victory on Wednesday, scoring the opener on 16 minutes having set up his Chelsea teammate and captain Didier Drogba for the only goal of the game against Sudan last Sunday.