Ivory Coast manager Uli Stielike has been forced to resign his position with the squad. Serious illness of his son has forced the hand of the German.

Stielike’s contract was due to expire after the African Nations Cup. The contract has since been nullified and Stielike will return to Hanover to look after son Michael. Didier Drogba side will now be led by a Frenchman – Gerrard Gili.

Ivory Coast kick off their tournament when they face Nigeria on January 21^st. The game will take place in Sekondi, Ghana.