A new chapter begins for Malian football. Tom Saintfiet, the Belgian coach who led the Aigles du Mali to the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 quarterfinals, is no longer at the helm. The Malian Football Federation officially announced his departure on Tuesday evening.
Under Saintfiet’s guidance, Mali showcased a disciplined and strategic playing style, securing three draws in the group stages before clinching a dramatic extra-time victory over Tunisia in the round of 16. Their journey ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the quarterfinals. Despite the early exit, the team’s performance earned praise for its resilience and tactical approach.
While initial reports suggested unresolved contract disputes, both the Malian Football Federation and Tom Saintfiet have since confirmed that their parting ways was amicable. The Belgian coach expressed gratitude toward Federation President Mahazou Baba Cisset, indicating that all issues had been resolved satisfactorily.
Next steps for the Malian national team
The search for a new Mali coach is now underway, with Federation President Mahazou Baba Cisset setting clear criteria. The ideal candidate must be an African coach with prior experience managing a team in an Africa Cup of Nations final. This narrows the field to a select group of experienced tacticians, including names like Aliou Cissé (Senegal), Djamel Belmadi (Algeria), and Walid Regragui (Morocco).
As the Federation evaluates potential replacements, the Malian national team looks ahead to its next challenges, aiming to build on the progress made during CAN 2024 under Saintfiet’s leadership.