Tom Saintfiet Confident Mali Can Shine at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025

Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet is confident that his Mali national team—the Eagles—can make a deep run at the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, despite being drawn into a tough Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Zambia, and the Comoros.

Backed by a rock-solid defense and a midfield full of elite African talent, the Belgian tactician has made his ambitions clear: Mali are not just here to compete, but to challenge for the title.

A respected figure across African football, Saintfiet previously guided The Gambia to their first-ever AFCON appearances in 2021 and 2023. Now, his mission is to deliver Mali’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations trophy, a dream the nation has chased since their 1972 final appearance. With 13 AFCON participations, the Eagles have come close several times—four semi-final appearances—but never lifted the trophy.

Speaking exclusively to CAFOnline.com, Saintfiet shared his mindset and goals ahead of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025:

“Mali has the quality to stand among Africa’s elite nations. What we need now are concrete results to confirm that.”

Under Saintfiet, Mali’s numbers are impressive—8 wins, 3 draws, and only 1 defeat in 12 competitive matches—making him statistically the best Mali coach since 2002. The team averages 1.83 goals per game and concedes just 0.25, a testament to their tactical balance and defensive discipline.

“We fear no one, though we respect everyone,” said Saintfiet. “Our ambition is to stay in this competition until the very end.”

A Challenging Group A for Mali

In Group A of AFCON 2025, Mali will face Morocco, Zambia, and the Comoros. Many have dubbed it the “Group of Death.”

“It’s an exciting group,” Saintfiet explained. “There are no easy games at the Africa Cup of Nations. Morocco are the favorites, but it’s a privilege to face them—especially on home soil.”

He also highlighted the danger posed by Zambia, led by a strong coach, and the Comoros, who qualified impressively ahead of Tunisia and The Gambia.

“Our goal is to go deep in the tournament. We don’t fear any team. All four teams in our group have the quality to reach the knockout stage.”

Mali’s Ambition: From Outsiders to Contenders

When asked about Mali’s status, Saintfiet referred to a France 24 article labeling Mali as “big outsiders.” He agreed:

“The main favorites are Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, and Nigeria. But teams like Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Tunisia, and South Africa are also capable of winning.
For Mali, our mission is to be the outsider that goes all the way.”

Mali’s recent form backs up that belief—ten goals scored, just one conceded in qualifying. Their organized structure and balance make them one of the most underrated teams in African football heading into AFCON Morocco 2025.

Mali’s Midfield: A Strength in Depth

Mali’s midfield depth could be their biggest asset, featuring stars like Amadou Haïdara, Yves Bissouma, Mohamed Camara, Aliou Dieng, and Hamari Traoré.

“It’s both a blessing and a challenge,” Saintfiet said. “We have so many top players that even our bench could compete at a high level. That gives us flexibility and tactical variety.”

Saintfiet’s Vision: From AFCON to the World Cup

Having previously coached Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Ethiopia, Saintfiet says Mali represents the perfect blend of talent and ambition.

“I left the Philippines to take this challenge because I truly believe Mali can achieve something historic—an AFCON title or even World Cup qualification.”

Under his leadership, Mali now averages 2.17 points per World Cup qualifying match, showing consistent improvement and competitive mentality.

Mali’s Minimum Target: The AFCON 2025 Semi-Finals

Saintfiet has set a clear benchmark: reach at least the semi-finals at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.

“We can aim for first place in our group—even with Morocco there. We’ll manage every match smartly, and our experience will guide us. If we reach the semi-finals, it’ll be a great step—but we want more.”