Mali skipper Mahamadou Diarra has said he expects a tough fight from a Morocco side eager for revenge in Wednesday's African Nations Cup semi-final here.
"It's not going to be easy for us," said Diarra, whose last-minute goal gave Mali a 2-1 quarter-final win against Guinea.
"Morocco have every reason to want to beat us as we have beaten them at home in the last three years running. But we are equal to the challenge.
"They have a good defence but then sometimes you make mistakes even if you are the best in the world.
"We are not kidding ourselves believing that it will be easy. It will be a very difficult match but we want to win and make it to the final."
The team's French coach Henri Stambouli said that previous results mean nothing as the two sides prepare to meet in a competitive match for the first time.
"We may have beaten them in some friendly matches in the past but we have to forget all that. We are only concentrated on this match because it is another match, another challenge and the semi-final of the Nations Cup. It's not the same thing."
Diarra, who plays for French champions Lyon, would also pick hosts Tunisia ahead of Nigeria as his choice of possible opponents should they go all the way to Saturday's final.
"I have a great deal of respect for Nigeria because they have several experienced players and against Cameroon I was not surprised when they fought back and won," said the highly-rated midfielder.
"Tunisia are also a good team but it would be a lot better for us to face them than Nigeria."
Mali finished as runners-up in their debut appearance at the Nations Cup in 1972, losing the trophy to Congo 3-2.
They have also played in two other semi-finals, in 1994 and 2002, when they hosted the biennial tournament.