Mali national team parts ways with coach Tom Saintfiet
The Mali national football team is entering a new chapter. Coach Tom Saintfiet, who took charge in August 2024, is no longer leading the team, as confirmed by the Mali Football Federation. The decision follows a respectable run at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the team advanced to the quarter-finals under his guidance.
Saintfiet’s tactical approach, characterized by a disciplined defensive structure, yielded three draws in the group stage before a dramatic extra-time win over Tunisia in the Round of 16. Their journey ended against Senegal in a tight 0-1 defeat in the quarter-finals.
Despite earlier reports of unpaid wages—highlighted by Saintfiet himself—the separation appears amicable. The outgoing coach expressed gratitude toward Federation President Mahazou Baba Cisset, suggesting that any financial concerns have been resolved.
Mali searches for a new head coach
The exit of Saintfiet was anticipated, as Federation President Baba Cisset had previously outlined his vision for a new coach. The criteria are clear: a candidate from Africa with prior experience in managing a team that reached the AFCON final.
This narrows the pool to a select group of experienced managers, including Aliou Cissé (Senegal), Djamel Belmadi (Algeria), and Walid Regragui (Morocco). Their names are now under serious consideration as Mali seeks a fresh start in its footballing journey.
