Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has played down concerns over Senegal’s quality ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash, insisting his side is focused on their own ambitions as they chase a historic breakthrough.
The Eagles of Mali are set to face Senegal on Friday at 17:00 GMT+1, with Saintfiet describing the moment as a significant chapter in the nation’s football journey.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Belgian coach stressed that his team’s belief is rooted in their recent progress and growing experience on the continental stage.
“In 2021 I played in the quarter-finals with Gambia against Cameroon, and this is my second quarter-final in four years,” Saintfiet said. “The Senegalese team has good players, and I know all their names as well as you do, but I am not interested in Senegal, I am only interested in my team.”
Saintfiet struck a confident tone as he underlined Mali’s motivation to make history, pointing out that the nation has never lifted the AFCON trophy.
“We are here on a mission. We have a dream and we have a history, and I think this is our moment. Mali is the only country that has never won this title, and for Malians this is our time, and the only ones I care about are the Eagles of Mali,” he said.
Addressing Senegal’s star-studded squad, the Mali coach acknowledged their strength but made it clear his players are not intimidated.
“We know that we will face a very strong team, which includes big stars who play at the highest levels, but we are not impressed by that, as my players are also big stars and possess all the qualities,” he added.
