Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has sent a confident message to hosts Morocco ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations clash on Friday, insisting his side will not retreat into a defensive shell despite facing one of the tournament favourites.
Saintfiet, who has a perfect record against Morocco from their only previous meeting in 2019, recalled how his team secured a surprise 1-0 win by sitting deep and absorbing pressure. “We won with just 21% possession,” he said, with a smile. “So I want to keep my 100% record against them.” This time, however, the Belgian coach says circumstances and personnel are different.
Rather than “parking the bus”, Saintfiet says Mali will look to impose themselves with an attacking approach, trusting in the quality of his squad. “In Mali, I don’t have a bus,” he explained. “I want to play 100% attacking football because we have great players.” It is a bold statement, especially against a Moroccan side backed by home support and high expectations.
The comments set the tone for what promises to be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the group stage, pitching Mali’s confidence and ambition against Morocco’s organisation and tournament experience. With pride, momentum and early qualification on the line, Saintfiet’s words suggest Mali will arrive not just to compete, but to challenge the hosts on their own terms.
