He was left out of that squad by former coach Vahid Halilhodzic because of disciplinary issues.

BBC: World Cup 2010: Eriksson confirms Ivorian squad

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sacked Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi, the sole woman in his cabinet, state television reports.

BBC: Iran sacks sole female minister Dastjerdi from health post

Eriksson replaces Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic, who was sacked last month after the Elephants failed to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

BBC: Sven-Goran Eriksson raring to go as Ivory Coast coach

Elephants coach Vahid Halilhodzic responded by throwing on Chelsea striker Drogba who was able to level the scores in the 67th minute.

CNN: Drogba helps Ivory Coast qualify

Last month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sacked Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi, the only woman minister in the history of the Islamic Republic.

BBC: Magazine

Last month, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sacked the sole woman in his cabinet, Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi, after she blamed the sanctions for causing medicine shortages.

BBC: Iranian oil revenues 'drop 45%' because of sanctions

Vahid Halilhodzic's team dominated possession but could not find the cutting edge to break down a determined Burkinabe defence despite a frontline of Didier Drogba, Bakari Kone and Gervinho.

CNN: Algeria left stunned by battling Malawi

Health Minister Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi told Parliament that her ministry has deployed scores of ambulances and medics but still needs helicopters to transfer seriously injured people quickly, the AP reported.

WSJ: Iranians Call Quake Effort Inadequate

"This Saturday I brought Vahid Halilhodzic's contract to an end because one of the aims that was set for him was not reached and that was to win the 2010 African Nations Cup, " Cote d'Ivoire football federation president Jacques Anouma reportedly said on national television.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS