Morocco’s assistant manager Rachid Benmahmoud has insisted his team wasn’t thinking about a potential Egypt clash ahead of the Zambia tie.
With Morocco beating Zambia, the Atlas Lions ensured their spot at the top of group F, which set up a clash with South Africa in the round of 16.
Had Morocco lost to Zambia, they would have faced Egypt instead, who will now face DR Congo, the team that finished second in group F.
Asked if the team was keen to beat Zambia to avoid a clash with Egypt, Benmahmoud said: “Avoiding the Egyptian national team? To be a champion, you should not think in this way, but you should compete against all teams.
“We came with a personality capable of competing for the title.”
Regarding the match against South Africa in the round of 16, he stated: “South Africa beat us in the last encounter, and we were not at our best then.
“Currently, we have ready players and many names that were not present in that match. We will prepare for the match, and we have no excuses.”
Rachid Benmahmoud took charge of the Morocco national team during the Zambia after manager Walid Regragui was handed a four-game suspension by CAF.