Remarkably Drogba is back

Say what you want about Didier Drogba - he can be a prima donna, he's sometimes a hot head, and he plays for Chelsea ugh the team that routinely beats my favorites and London rival Arsenal.

However, the guy is a true icon and world hero - he helped to stop the civil war that ravaged his come country Cote d'Ivoire or the Ivory Coast simply by pleading in front of the cameras for the politicians to help make it end. This was right before the last World Cup in Germany, and the people listened.

Had he missed the World Cup South Africa after breaking his elbow last week against Japan, it truly would have been a world-wide loss. But now miraculously after successful surgery in Switzerland Drogba is back practicing with minimal protective cover on the injured elbow, and could even start in his team's first match - something I thought to be inconceivable a few days ago.

Let's hope he can play, Drogba is magic on the pitch and scores wonderful goals, and Africa needs an ambassador to step forward and make a name for himself in this Cup - Drogba is the likely candidate.

More injury updates

Julio Cesar - the fabulous top-class keeper for Brazil - appears ready to go for the opener vs. North Korea on June 15th.

No big shocker there, Cesar suffered a back injury against Zimbabwe, but he was still going through light training. It would have taken a lot more to knock him out, the guy is a brick house. Believe when I say he could be a difference maker for Brazil - a team not known for its terrific keepers - that may not have as much fire power as everyone thinks.

Any doubts about Messi being rumored to be hurt were put to rest by the Argentinian training staff.

I'm not sure if Bob Bradley is the next Bill Belichick because the U.S. certainly has not opened its doors to training and info on injured stars like Jozy Altidore, but from everything they've been saying the 20-year-old should be fine and hopefully ready to go against England.

Here are quotes from both the coach and player themselves:

"It's getting better for sure," Altidore said after practice Thursday in his first availability following the injury. "I didn't think I had anything that serious to the point where I'd have to be relieved from the tournament, so I'm happy about that."

U.S. coach Bob Bradley has downplayed Altidore's injury.

"Cost him a couple days, but from the start we knew that this was very minor," he said Wednesday.

Let's just hope the real question is who will partner Jozy Saturday and not is Jozy ready to play.