The Mali Football Federation (Femafoot) has officially dismissed Tom Saintfiet from his role as head coach of the national team. The decision was confirmed in a statement released by the federation on Tuesday evening, ending the Belgian coach's tenure after just over eight months in charge. Saintfiet, 53, was appointed in August 2024 but failed to guide Mali to the 2026 World Cup finals and was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by Senegal.
In a statement posted on Femafoot's social media channels, the federation's newly elected president, Mahazou Cisset, paid tribute to Saintfiet's service. "During your time, you showed constant commitment, exemplary professionalism and remarkable determination in carrying out your mission," Cisset wrote. "In a sometimes demanding environment, you managed to maintain group cohesion, structure technical work and wear the colours of the Eagles of Mali with dignity."
The departure comes after a period of significant underachievement for a Mali side considered one of the continent's talented generations. Saintfiet, a well-travelled coach with experience across Africa and Asia, was unable to convert that potential into tangible success on the pitch. His failure to secure World Cup qualification was a particular disappointment, given the nation's ambition to reach only their second-ever finals, having debuted in 2022.
Femafoot has now launched an open call for applications to find Saintfiet's permanent successor. According to the federation, prospective candidates have until May 10 to submit their dossiers for consideration. The search for a new coach begins immediately as Mali prepares for upcoming fixtures, including a scheduled friendly match against Russia during the next international window.
The task for the incoming manager will be to revitalise a squad featuring established European-based players like Yves Bissouma, Amadou Haidara, and Cheick Doucouré, who recently returned from a long-term injury. The new appointment will be expected to build a more competitive and consistent team capable of challenging for honours at the next AFCON and making a stronger push for the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle, which begins later this year.
