Former Free State Stars coach Tom Saintfiet has been appointed as the head coach of the Mali national team.

According to reports, Saintfiet has signed a two-year deal with the possibility of an extension. He will aim to lead Mali to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026.

Mali will begin their 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Group I by hosting Mozambique in Bamako on 6 September. They will then travel to face Eswatini, playing at Mbombela Stadium in South Africa four days later.

Saintfiet emerged as the successful candidate from a pool of six applicants, including Antonio Conceicao, Hector Cuper, and former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, according to the reports.

He previously led Gambia to a historic quarter-final finish at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, losing to the hosts. Gambia also qualified for the 2023 AFCON finals in Ivory Coast but failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Saintfiet was appointed as coach of the now-defunct Ea Lla Koto ahead of the 2014/15 season but was dismissed in November after managing 11 games. During his tenure, he recorded three wins, six losses, and two draws.