Saintfiet aims to 'write World Cup history' with Mali

BBC News

14-03-2025

Tom Saintfiet hopes to "write history" with Mali as he aims to revive the nation's hopes of reaching the 2026 Fifa World Cup.The Eagles, who have never appeared at the tournament, are currently fourth in Group I, four points behind both leaders Comoros and second-placed Ghana after four rounds of the 10-game qualifying campaign.Only the group winners are assured of qualification but Saintfiet, who took charge last August, has an immediate chance to improve fortunes as his side take on Comoros in Moroni on 20 March before another away match four days later against a Central African Republic team now under the guidance of Cameroon legend Rigobert Song."My dream and ambition as a coach is always to go to the World Cup," the 51-year-old Belgian told BBC Sport Africa when discussing the six-team group that also includes Chad and Madagascar."We are really not in a good position right now, but I still think we can do it."We are going to try to win all six games and see what it brings, and to qualify for the World Cup."
A talented Mali side came close to qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, but lost to Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate in a play-off.That was the only goal the Eagles conceded over what was an eight-game campaign for the finals in Qatar.Having replaced Eric Chelle, Saintfiet has already overseen an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which begins in December in Morocco.Mali comfortably won their group ahead of Mozambique, dropping just four points across six games."When I came the atmosphere was not so good, because the World Cup qualifiers were a little bit [messed] up," Saintfiet outlined."That's not what Mali was looking for. So I had to change fortunes very quick."But after six matches with four wins, two draws, I'm quite positive that we are on the right track."
'Quality players' in squad
Mali were seconds away from reaching the semi-finals of the 2023 Afcon before conceding a late equaliser against tournament hosts Ivory Coast, who then scored again deep into extra time to eliminate their West African neighbours.With top talents such as Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma, RB Salzburg winger Nene Dorgeles and Auxerre striker Lassine Sinayoko at his disposal, Saintfiet says his main challenge is to build a cohesive starting XI."It's a big luxury to have so many quality players," said the man who led The Gambia to the quarter-finals of Afcon on the nation's debut in 2022."I have so much choice for all positions, so many alternatives."It's not selecting the best players, it's selecting the best team. That's now the task."We are going to try everything in the coming six qualifiers - two at home, four away - to write history."After this month's fixtures, the final four group games will be split across September and October.The four best-ranked second-placed sides across all 10 groups will then enter play-offs which will provide one African team with a final chance to book a spot at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA via an intercontinental qualifier.