Gervinho targets Africa Cup of Nations success

Arsenal forward Gervinho has said that he is determined to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.

The 25-year-old missed the decisive penalty in the final in last year's edition of the competition, as the Ivorians lost the clash 8-7 in the shootout to Zambia.

"I am very excited and I am even more motivated than last year where we lost in the final and got denied that trophy that we have been waiting for so long," he told Arsenal's official website.

"We have the chance to redeem ourselves. We are determined to win it this year and free us from that spell which has been on us for a long time."

Gervinho added that his failure last year in the shootout gives him additional motivation in South Africa this time around.

"[The penalty miss last year] was very tough," he said. "I tried not to think about it.

"It should have been a great moment and it turned into a nightmare. It was frustrating. My aim is to redeem myself this time and I know I will do it.

"I missed my penalty last year but this time I will score the winner to offer the trophy to Ivory Coast. I have faith in myself and my teammates. This year will be the one for us."

The Ivorians have been placed in Group D alongside Togo, Tunisia and Algeria.