Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has pleaded with citizens of his native Ivory Coast to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously.

The first COVID-19 case in the African nation was reported on March 11, with quarantine measures implemented on March 17.

"To my Ivorian brothers and sisters," the Ivory Coast's record scorer began a video message on Twitter. "I ask you to take the subject very seriously because we tend to be too light in the face of the situation.

"It is imperative to respect the measures imposed by the government. We are the ones spreading the virus, we are all responsible for the situation.

"Wash your hands regularly, go out only when necessary, and keep a distance of at least one meter from each other."