Mali has appointed Tom Saintfiet as the new head coach of the national football team, just nine days before the start of their AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign. The Belgian coach takes over from Eric Chelle, who was dismissed two months ago.
Moussa Sylvain Diakité, the first vice-president of the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot), confirmed Saintfiet’s appointment on Wednesday during a broadcast on ORTM 1.
The 51-year-old emerged as the chosen candidate from a shortlist of six contenders that had been recently leaked.
Saintfiet will immediately take charge of the team as they prepare for crucial fixtures in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
Mali is set to face Mozambique on 6 September in Bamako, followed by a match against Eswatini in Mbombela, South Africa, on 9 September.
Interim coach Badra Aliou Diallo, known as “Conty,” was initially scheduled to announce the squad for these matches this Saturday morning.
However, it is anticipated that Saintfiet will be formally introduced during this announcement.
Saintfiet is no stranger to African football, having previously managed several teams across the continent.
His career includes stints with Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Togo.
His most notable achievement came while managing Gambia from 2018 until early 2023, where he led the team to its first-ever qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, reaching the quarter-finals.
However, Gambia’s 2023 AFCON campaign ended in the group stage, resulting in his departure.
Following his exit from Gambia, Saintfiet briefly took charge of the Philippines national team.
A contractual clause, however, allowed him to return to Africa, which he has now decided to exercise with his new role as the head coach of Mali.
As Mali prepares to embark on their AFCON 2025 qualification journey, Saintfiet’s appointment is seen as a significant step to rejuvenate the team and bolster their chances of success on the continental stage.
