Tom Saintfiet Set To Depart Role Amid Malian Football Chaos

Mali’s head coach Tom Saintfiet is on the verge of leaving his post, well before his contract expires in August 2026. While the team’s quarter-final exit to Senegal in the recent 2025 AFCON was a sporting disappointment, the real crisis is happening behind the scenes, where political infighting and financial instability have made his position untenable.

The situation at FEMAFOOT (Malian Football Federation) has turned from to chaotic in just a few short weeks.

Following the AFCON exit, a wave of resignations hit the federation. Saintfiet famously admitted to the press that he “discovered online” that the entire Executive Committee had resigned, as no one from the federation had bothered to inform him directly.

The Ministry of Sports, led by National Director Boubou Diallo, has openly called for Saintfiet’s dismissal. Reports suggest the Ministry is pushing to install local favorites, specifically Djibril Dramé or former international Fousseni Diawara, creating a “state vs. federation” power struggle.

With the departure of President Mamoutou Touré—who has faced legal challenges regarding financial embezzlement—various groups are now fighting for control of the federation, leaving the coach with no clear superior to report to.

Beyond the politics, the Belgian tactician has reportedly reached his breaking point over money. Saintfiet has been vocal about the persistent salary payment delays, stating, “I have never been paid normally.”

Mali’s financial woes aren’t limited to the senior coach; reports indicate that several youth and women’s team coaches, as well as former managers like Eric Chelle, are still owed significant arrears. For a coach of Saintfiet’s experience—known for his success with the Gambia—working in an environment where he has to “beg” for his paycheck every five months has become a bridge too far.

With FIFA observers expected to arrive in Bamako soon to assess the risk of “government interference,” Mali faces the very real threat of a global suspension. For Saintfiet, the exit seems inevitable. He has already hinted at interest in other roles, including the Ghana Black Stars, once his tenure in Bamako officially ends.

Mali finds itself at a crossroads: resolve the internal warfare, or watch one of Africa’s most talented generations waste away in the shadows of administrative greed.