Ivory Coast install Lamouchi as new coach

Sabri Lamouchi has been appointed coach of the Ivory Coast to replace François Zahoui, the Ivorian Football Federation announced Monday. "The Ivorian Football Federation (IFF) announces that Mr Sabri Lamouchi was appointed as the national team coach, replacing Mr François Zahoui," said a statement on the IFF's official website. "The IFF Executive Committee expresses their thanks to Mr Francois Zahoui for his efforts with the Elephants," the statement added. The decision comes only five days before the team plays Tanzania in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers on 2 June. Lamouchi, 40, will be in charge of the Elephants for the qualifiers of the 2013 African Cup of Nations and the 2014 World Cup. The former France international midfielder, who is of Tunisian descent, quit international football in 2001. At club level played for Auxerre, Monaco, Inter Milan and Marseille. Lamouchi has never coached at international level. Ivory Coast were drawn in Group C of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers with Morocco, Gambia and Tanzania.