"The game showed the difference between a team that can go all the way and win the World Cup and a team still working its way up," he said after a 3-1 defeat at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Sunday left the Ivorians with a single point from two matches in the toughest group at the tournament.
"It was a big disappointment, we had our chances and it could have been a different match.
"But we have to also be realistic. You know where the Ivory Coast is on the rankings compared to Brazil. We never went into the game thinking we would run away with it."
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who had only three weeks before the start of the event to work with his new team, bemoaned mistakes which crept in after a stout defensive performance in a goalless draw with Portugal in their first game.
"Brazil are strong and if you make mistakes against them, they are quick to punish you. That's what happened to us," said the experienced Swede, who has been praised by his players for a positive impact on the team since taking over on a short-term contract.
"We have played two very difficult games. I'm sorry that we made a couple of silly mistakes that Brazil took good advantage of."
While Brazil booked their place in the knockout phase, the Ivorians can still advance from Group G providing they beat North Korea in their last game in Nelspruit on Friday, and Portugal stumble.
Drogba scored his 44th goal in his 70th appearance for his country as he completed a full 90 minutes, just 15 days after an operation on a broken forearm.
He wore a protective brace on the arm but came through the match without any visible sign of pain.
