Ivorian coach Henri Michel has expressed his desire to win the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) trophy to prove that his team really deserved to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Addressing a news conference in Cairo Thursday, the French technician said: "We have gained our qualifications to the CAN and the World Cup in succession. Now that we are in the CAN final, we have to win on Friday to justify this reputation."

The Elephants are the only team out of Africa's five World Cup qualifiers that have survived the last stages of the competition.

For him, the Ivorian team should have trophies to go along with its qualifications. "We are said to be a big team. So we have to provide proof of our superiority by winning the trophy," he added.

He said that the Elephants would play hard to beat the Pharaohs in the Friday final, which he predicted would be a difficult encounter.

"The match will not be easy but our enthusiasm could lift a mountain," he added.

Underdogs Côte d'Ivoire are facing favourites and hosts Egypt in Cairo Stadium on Friday in the CAN final.

If Egypt wins, it will be its fifth CAN title, while the Ivorians are gunning for their second, having won it in Senegal '92.

The Pharaohs' last CAN trophy was grabbed in Burkina Faso '98.