MALI head coach Tom Saintfiet has declared that reaching the semi-finals is the minimum goal for his team at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, despite being drawn in a challenging Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Zambia, and the Comoros.
Speaking to CAFOnline.com ahead of the tournament, the Belgian tactician expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to compete with Africa’s elite nations, citing a strong defensive record and midfield depth as key assets.
“For us, the minimum target is the semi-finals,” Saintfiet said in the exclusive interview. “We can aim for first place in our group—even with Morocco in it. That would give us a more favourable route in the knockout stages.”
Saintfiet’s record since taking charge speaks for itself. In 12 competitive matches, Mali have won eight, drawn three, and lost just once—averaging 2.25 points per game, the best for a Mali coach since 2002. His team has scored 22 goals while conceding only three.
The 51-year-old, who previously guided The Gambia to their first-ever AFCON appearances and a quarter-final finish in 2021, described Mali as “big outsiders” capable of going all the way.
“We fear no one, though we respect everyone,” he told CAFOnline.com. “Our ambition is to stay in this competition until the very end.”
Mali, finalists in 1972 and four-time semi-finalists, are still searching for their first continental title after 13 tournament appearances. Saintfiet believes his current squad, ranked eighth in Africa, has the quality to change that narrative.
“Few nations are happy to face Mali now,” he said. “But we still have to prove it at the AFCON. It’s time to show we belong among Africa’s great football nations.”
When asked what headline he would like to see after the tournament, Saintfiet replied simply: “Mali Create a Miracle.”
