Tom Saintfiet is a well-known figure in African football. The Belgian assumed leadership of Mali with the goal of ending the curse of the Eagles, who have never won the African Nations Cup, after taking Gambia to the AFCON 2021 and 2023.
Tom Saintfiet is the leader of the swarm of Eagles. With eliminations in the final 20 minutes, the 52-year-old technician will lead Mali to the AFCON 2025 in Morocco with the goal of outperforming the previous two tournaments. Mali, who participated in just one final (1972), wants to let the Malians make an impression.
t must be said that Tom Saintfiet is considered one of the best coaches on the continent. He placed in the top 5 votes for the title of best coach of the year in 2022 and 2023.
Since his arrival at the head of Mali, he has directed 13 matches with an excellent record of 8 wins, 4 draws and 1 defeat.
Suffice to say that he arrives with achievements and the possibility of doing something. Even if the non-qualification of Mali for the 2026 World Cup seems like an oil stain. But his recent past can allow him to put everyone in his pocket.
Before being appointed coach of Mali, Tom Saintfiet led Gambia between 2018 and 2024. It was moreover under his magisterium that the Scorpions were the most prickly. While the Gambians had not won a match for 5 years, he qualified the team for the 2021 and 2023 FCON, the first two qualifiers in the country’s history.
At the AFCON 2021, played in Cameroon, Gambia achieves the feat of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Already, in the first round, Tom Saintfiet’s men finished 2nd in group F with 7 points, equal to leader Mali. The Gambia even manages to beat Tunisia in pool play (1-0). In the eighth, during the derby against Guinea, Saintfiet and his team win 1-0 before falling 0-2 to Cameroon. In 2023, the exploit is not reissued with a first round elimination. However, Saintfiet has already won hearts, and Mali entrusts him with their team in August 2024.
“We need to be focused for every game, and I’m sure the atmosphere, infrastructure and pitch will be perfect. I see that the four teams in group A are able to qualify. For us, the goal is to reach the semi-final. I said it when I signed my contract. But it will surely not be easy,”
