Mali thanks outgoing belgian coach after failed campaigns
Mali thanks outgoing belgian coach after failed campaigns
The reign of Tom Saintfiet, affectionately dubbed the “Oncle Tom”, has come to an end as the Mali Football Federation (Femafoot) announced his dismissal on tuesday evening. The Belgian coach, who took charge in August 2024, fell short of expectations during his tenure, failing to secure Mali’s spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and seeing his team exit the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in the quarterfinals after a narrow defeat to Senegal.
Femafoot praises outgoing coach’s efforts
The newly elected president of Femafoot, Mahazou Cisset, took to social media to publicly commend Tom Saintfiet for his contributions. In an official statement, he highlighted the coach’s unwavering commitment, professionalism, and resilience in navigating the challenges of his role. Cisset noted how Saintfiet maintained team cohesion, streamlined technical processes, and upheld the pride of the Mali national team, the Aigles du Mali, despite a demanding environment.
Femafoot has now launched a call for applications to fill the vacant managerial position. Interested candidates have until May 10 to submit their applications.