Tom Saintfiet’s Ambitious Quest for Mali’s First World Cup Appearance

Tom Saintfiet, Mali’s national football team coach, aims to lead the Eagles to their first World Cup appearance in 2026. Currently fourth in Group I, they face crucial matches against Comoros and the Central African Republic. Saintfiet remains optimistic despite challenges, having previously guided them to an unbeaten AFCON qualifying campaign. With a talented squad, he focuses on assembling the best team to achieve their goals.

Tom Saintfiet, head coach of Mali’s national football team, expresses his ambition to lead the Eagles to their first-ever appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Currently, the team sits fourth in Group I of the qualifying rounds, with a four-point deficit from leaders Comoros and second-place Ghana after four matches. To improve their standings, Mali is scheduled to face Comoros in Moroni on March 20, followed by an away match against the Central African Republic, managed by Cameroonian legend Rigobert Song.

Saintfiet, who assumed his role in August, remains optimistic about the team’s chances despite their current position. He shared his dreams of attending the World Cup: “My dream and ambition as a coach is always to go to the World Cup.” He acknowledges the challenging road ahead but insists on the determination to win all six remaining matches to secure qualification.

Previously, Mali made a strong attempt to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, narrowly losing to Tunisia with an aggregate score of 1-0 during the playoffs. Following his appointment, Saintfiet has also managed an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), ensuring Mali dominated their group with four wins and only two draws.

Saintfiet recognized the difficulty of the initial environment he faced, stating, “When I came, the atmosphere was not so good.” Nevertheless, he has quickly stabilized the team’s morale and performance, showing positivity towards their trajectory.

Mali’s roster boasts high-caliber players such as Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma and RB Salzburg’s Nene Dorgeles, which poses a unique challenge for the coach. He commented on the abundance of talent: “It’s a big luxury to have so many quality players.” His task now consists of assembling the most effective team rather than merely selecting standout individuals.

Looking ahead, after the matches later this month, Mali’s qualifiers will continue with the final four matches scheduled for September and October. The four best-ranked second-placed teams from the ten groups will enter playoffs for an additional opportunity to qualify for the World Cup in North America.

In summary, Tom Saintfiet is dedicated to leading Mali to their inaugural World Cup appearance in 2026, despite their current fourth-place standing in Group I. With crucial upcoming matches against Comoros and the Central African Republic, Saintfiet’s ambition and the talent present in the team provide a sense of optimism. His experience and strategic approach may be pivotal as they aim to qualify not only for the World Cup but also to strengthen their performance in the continental competition, highlighting their potential on the international stage.

Original Source: www.bbc.com