Cairo, Egypt (PANA) - Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and two teammates will not feature in Saturday's Group A match against the 'Pharaohs' of Egypt, coach Henri Michel of Côte d'Ivoire disclosed here Friday.

He said the decision to rest Drogba, Gilles Yapi Yapo and Didier Zokora was aimed at reserving them for the quarterfinals as the three players have already received yellow cards in previous matches.

Coach Michel said because of the caution, "it's better not to include them in the line-up to avoid the risk of getting other cards which would penalise us for the quarterfinals".

The Ivorian coach said he plans to field other members of the national side who are yet to have a taste of the competition.