Antony da Silva has been named the new head coach of the Mali national football team, the Malian Football Federation confirmed on Friday. He replaces Alou Badra Diallo, who had been serving as interim manager since Tom Saintfiet’s departure in April.
Da Silva, a French-Portuguese dual national, will take charge of the Eagles with the immediate task of rebuilding following their failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup. This marks his first senior managerial appointment, though he brings a wealth of experience as a player and assistant coach.
Born in Creusot, France, Da Silva progressed through the Paris Saint-Germain academy between 1996 and 1999. He spent the majority of his playing career in Portugal, featuring for clubs such as Chaves and Vitória Guimarães, with a brief spell at Cluj in Romania. His playing career was largely defined by solid performances in the Portuguese leagues, though he never reached the highest echelons of the sport.
Da Silva transitioned into coaching in Portugal, beginning with Oliveirense in the second division. He has since held several coaching positions within the Portuguese football system. Crucially, he also served as an assistant coach for the Cameroon national team from 2019 to 2022, gaining valuable experience on the African continent. This prior involvement with a major African nation is expected to be a significant asset as he takes the reins of Mali.
The appointment is seen as a move to bring fresh ideas and a modern approach to the Malian national team. While the immediate goal of World Cup qualification was missed, Da Silva will be tasked with developing a competitive squad capable of challenging for future tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations. The Malian Football Federation will be hoping Da Silva can unlock the potential within the squad and build a cohesive unit.
