Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi said he hopes to guide the Elephants to win the next African Cup of Nations’ title, adding that this title represent a "top priority" for him.

Lamouchi was named as Ivory Coast’s new coach last May, succeeding Francois Zahoui who was sacked after the Elephants were left in second place in last year's Cup of Nations.

The Elephants are awaiting a tough match against Senegal in the final phase of the Cup of Nations qualifying round.    

“My goals are clear for the team. First I want the team to qualify for the next African Cup of Nations and to get a better result than last time, which means winning the title,” Lamouchi was quoted as saying by French magazine France Football.

The Ivorian Elephants finished as runners-up to Zambia after a penalty shootout in the 2012 final in Libreville last February.

Despite having a talented team, including several stars such as Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure and Salomon Kalou, the Elephants have failed to win the African Cup of Nations’ title.

“If they win the title, it will be a good gift for the country, but failure means the end of this talented generation,” concluded Lamouchi.

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