Drogba: We must win for our troubled people

Côte D'Ivoire must beat Benin in tomorrow's 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier to give their compatriots some good news amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, with up to a million people fleeing post-election violence, captain Didier Drogba said today.

The 33-year-old - who has often said that success on the football pitch could bring the nation's people together - added he wished they had been able to play their 'home' match in Abidjan as a symbolic gesture but it had been decided by the African Football Confederation it was too risky.

"Winning is not only important for qualification but also to give some comfort to our compatriots who are living through a difficult time at the moment," said Drogba. "We would have preferred to play as scheduled in Abidjan in order to support our public but alas it was not to be. The match will not be easy. They are opponents we know well and who cause us problems. But we have to win."

Drogba has been the leader of the 'Elephants' in their most successful spell which has seen them reach successive FIFA World Cup™ finals and the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations final.

Tomorrow's match is in Accra because it is regarded as too risky to host matches in Abidjan because of the bitter stand-off for the presidency after the disputed 28 November presidential poll.

Everton accept offer for Steven Pienaar

Midfielder Steven Pienaar could be on the verge of leaving Everton after boss David Moyes said the club had accepted an offer from an unnamed team

The 28-year-old South African international is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Spurs.

Moyes said: "We have had two offers and one of those has been accepted.

We have allowed his representatives to speak to the other club, but whether it goes through or not I don't know yet."

Reports have also suggested that Pienaar could have already signed a pre-contract agreement with a major European club.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was tight-lipped over any potential move for Pienaar when asked at a press conference ahead of his team's home match with Blackburn on Saturday.

There are a lot of rumours, a lot of speculation and names," said the Italian. "Maybe sometimes some agents are using the names to earn more money.

"Pienaar is a good player and we know him very well, but this doesn't mean we need to have him play here. We are thinking about central defence.But if we find the right player for us, we have the possibility to buy."Pienaar joined Everton for £2m from Borussia Dortmund in 2007 and was voted the club's player of the season last term.But his form this season has not been at the same level and Moyes revealed that the player rejected a new contract some time ago.Everton will be keen to recoup a fee for the player rather than watch him leave for free at the end of the season.When asked if Pienaar had decided he wanted to move on, Moyes said: "I think the player probably decided that when he turned down his contract six months or a year ago, whenever it was.But he has done very well for us on the pitch, so we have no complaints."If Pienaar makes a transfer window move he would be the second player to leave the club in January.On Thursday striker Ayegbeni Yakubu joined Leicester on loan with a view to a permanent deal.