Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat believes their victory over Zambia has motivated the team to achieve great heights at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Amrabat delivered a man-of-the-match performance, assisting his team in earning three points. Hakim Ziyech scored in the 37th minute, denying the Chipolopolo Boys a place in the knockout stage.
After the game, Amrabat stated that finishing as group winners was one of the team’s primary objectives for the competition.
He admitted that their final group-stage match against Zambia was difficult, but he was pleased that they managed to win.
“We wanted this first place. We are proud to have done it. It was a difficult match but we did the essentials. There is always room to improve before the next match,” he told a press conference at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro.
‘We missed him’- Amrabat on Regragui
Morocco were without head coach Walid Regragui, who received a two-match suspension from CAF for an altercation with DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba on Sunday.
“We heard the news today. It was surprising. We missed him but we had to deal with the situation. And we hope to have him for the next match,” stated the Manchester United midfielder.
He added, “We want to go as far as possible in this tournament and we will do our best to succeed.”
Morocco finished as Group F winners with seven points, while Zambia was third with only two points from three games behind DR Congo who took second place.
READ MORE: Avram Grant explains Zambia’s premature AFCON exit, partly blames ref
The Atlas Lions will face South Africa in the knockout stage on Tuesday next week in San Pedro.
