Mali's Bold AFCON Dream: Saintfiet praises grit after Tunisia scare and eyeing the Senegal showdown
4 January 2026
Match story
The Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, Mali's manager, praised the fighting spirit and tactical discipline shown by his players during the dramatic knockout victory over Tunisia in the AFCON 2025 round of 16 on Saturday.
Mali edged Tunisia on penalties after the encounter finished 1-1 after extra time.
Saintfiet noted the match began balanced and open, a pattern that shifted after the 26th minute when a Mali player was sent off, complicating Mali’s task.
He admitted he was unsure about the referee’s decision, emphasizing that the red card made the job much harder for Mali.
He added that his players dealt with the situation intelligently by tightening their defensive organization and relying on counter-attacks despite the numerical disadvantage, explaining the plan was to draw the opponent into penalties.
Saintfiet stressed his immense pride in the group, declaring that the players delivered an exceptional performance over 120 minutes and describing them as champions for their mental toughness and fighting spirit.
He concluded that Mali’s ambitions do not end with the next round (a quarterfinal against Senegal) but extend to a serious challenge for the Africa Cup of Nations title.
Looking ahead
With the Senegal matchup looming, Mali’s quest for Africa’s top prize remains firmly on the agenda, and Saintfiet’s side will aim to translate their fighting display into a continued deep run.
