Ivory Coast will do anything to win African Cup, says Michel

Ahmed Maher: Ivory Coast coach Henri Michel said his team is ready to do whatever it takes to beat Egypt in the African Cup of Nations final on Friday.

Michel said Ivory Coast earned their place in the final and will do their best to win the title no matter how hard facing the hosts will be.

"We're going to do everything to win this Cup, even though we know it'll be very difficult," Michel told a press conference on Thursday.

"We've had a good run. Now there's the cherry on the cake - and let's hope we can place it correctly," the Frenchman said.

"But we've shown character and discipline and on top of that, we've got the kind of hunger and enthusiasm to move mountains."

Michel, who guided Ivory Coast to their only African title in 1992, managed a number of African teams throughout his career

The 58-year-old manager was at the helm of Morocco in the 1998 and 2000 African Cups and Tunisia in 2002, failing to get past the first round in the last two appearances.

But the Frenchman believes his Ivorian side has the essentials needed to grab the title in Egypt.

"In 2000 with Morocco, we did not make it to the last eight because we lost only on the number of goals scored in our group.

"With Tunisia, I did not have a team, I had nothing. Today, I have a young side and a winning way and I think they are possibly the top team in Africa," he said.

Michel refused to go into depth about the Egyptian Football Association's (EFA) decision to axe striker Ahmed Hossam "Mido" from the national team and suspended him for six months.

We know Mido, he can be a bit conflictual sometimes but that's their problem," he said.

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba said he considers winning the African title a great achievement.

"Quite simply, I'd be really proud to win this Cup. Whether that's as a player or a captain, because a continental title means a great deal," the Chelsea striker said.

"It's enormous. It's a degree of recognition that comes just below that of the World Cup...but today, simply the fact of being in the final, is just happiness."

Drogba said he believes the EFA will reconsider the suspension of former Marseille strike partner Mido.

"I think Mido will play. I think they are ready to fight, to do everything to win this game because they are playing at home," said Drogba.