Antony da Silva handed ambitious AFCON and World Cup targets after Mali appointment

Mali have set out an ambitious roadmap for newly appointed head coach Antony da Silva, tasking the Portuguese tactician with guiding the national team to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and securing qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Da Silva has signed a three-year contract with the Mali Football Federation, taking over from Tom Saintfiet in a move aimed at reshaping the Eagles’ competitive trajectory on the continental and global stage.

Under the terms of his appointment, the former club coach is expected to deliver a clear set of performance benchmarks, beginning with qualification for the 2027 AFCON. He has also been instructed to lead Mali beyond the group-stage ceiling in recent tournaments, with a semi-final finish set as a key target.

Beyond continental ambitions, Mali have also placed World Cup qualification firmly on his agenda, with the federation mandating a place at the 2030 FIFA World Cup as part of the long-term project.

As part of the technical structure, da Silva will be supported by four assistant coaches, forming a broadened backroom team designed to strengthen preparation and matchday execution. He is also expected to reside permanently in Bamako, with travel restricted to pre-arranged commitments in order to ensure full-time oversight of the national team programme.

The agreement includes a performance-based evaluation system, meaning his continuation in the role will depend heavily on meeting the outlined objectives across AFCON and World Cup qualification campaigns.

The appointment signals a renewed push by Mali to establish themselves among Africa’s elite football nations, with expectations now firmly placed on da Silva to translate long-term planning into tangible success on the pitch.