Drogba suffers fresh blow in bid to become Ivorian football chief

Drogba needs a nomination from one of five eligible bodies to stand. AFI was the fourth to make its choice, and, like the three that had already announced their endorsement, decided against the national team's all-time top scorer.

AFI said it was backing current FIF vice-president Idriss Diallo, who has the backing of former internationals Bonaventure Kalou, Cyril Domoraud and Ahmed Ouattara, in the September 5 election.

"In line with the majority of its members, the board decided to grant AFI's sponsorship to the list led by Idriss Diallo," AFI said in a statement signed by its general secretary Aruna Dindane, another former international.

"This choice is in line with the recommendation made by two thirds of the delegates at the end of last Friday's meeting," said the statement.

Yaya Toure, who like his brother Kolo Toure has backed Drogba, expressed his dismay.