Mali bids farewell to Belgian coach after World Cup setback

The era of “Oncle Tom” has come to an end. The Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) has officially relieved Tom Saintfiet, the Belgian coach, of his duties as head coach of the Mali national team.

At 53 years old, Saintfiet took charge in August 2024 but failed to secure Mali’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) following a narrow defeat to Senegal.

Femafoot’s tribute to the departing coach

Mahazou Cisset, the newly elected president of the Femafoot, expressed gratitude toward Saintfiet in an official statement shared on the federation’s social media platforms:

During your time with us, you demonstrated unwavering commitment, professionalism, and determination in carrying out your duties. Despite the challenges of a demanding environment, you successfully maintained team cohesion, established solid technical foundations, and proudly represented the colors of the Mali Eagles. We sincerely thank you.”

Saintfiet’s departure marks the end of a chapter that saw him guide the team through critical matches, including the disappointing loss to Senegal in the 2025 CAN quarter-finals and the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Femafoot has now launched a recruitment process to find a successor. Candidates have until May 10 to submit their applications.

For more details on the new leadership at the helm of Malian football, read our exclusive coverage.