Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has expressed his admiration for the playing style of the Tunisian national team as the two sides prepare to meet in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Belgian tactician will be on the touchline on Sunday when the Eagles face the Carthage Eagles in a knockout encounter that promises to be fiercely contested.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Saintfiet acknowledged the quality and structure of the Tunisian team, admitting that he is a keen admirer of the way they approach the game.
Despite his respect for the opposition, he made it clear that Mali will approach the match with confidence and determination, insisting that his side is not intimidated by the challenge.
“We will face a strong team, with tactically intelligent players who are well positioned on the field, and which includes players who combine experience and youth, such as Sebastien Tonnecti, Elias Achouri, Hazem Mestouri, and Elias Saad. I am a fan of the way the Tunisian national team plays, but we are not afraid to face any team, and I think we are ready for the match,” Saintfiet said.
The Mali coach also reflected on his team’s group-stage campaign, admitting that their three draws left a sense of frustration within the camp. He explained that Mali entered the tournament aiming for more decisive results but failed to take advantage of key moments.
“I don’t feel that we have qualified for the round of 16 after the three draws in the group stage. We entered the tournament with the intention of beating Zambia and Comoros, with all due respect to them, and we had many opportunities, but we wasted them, like the penalty kick. I hope that this will wake us up in the knockout match against Tunisia,” he added.
The Round of 16 showdown between Mali and Tunisia is scheduled to kick off at 19:00 GMT on Saturday, with both sides aiming to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
