AFCON 2025: Saintfiet praises Mali players for Tunisia win

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet praised for managing to stay calsm despite playing with 10-men in their Round of 16 fixture against Tunisia on Saturday.

Despite Tunisia enjoying numerical advantage, it was Mali, who booked their place in the quarterfinals after defeating them 3-2 on penalties following a hard-fought 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.

“I am proud of the goalkeeper and of all the players. Before the match, I told them that they are champions. If we had played with 11 players, we might have had even more advantages,” he said.

“After the red card, we remained calm and adapted to the situation, because football is also played with intelligence. We prepared very well for the match against Tunisia, and the players knew exactly what they were doing.

“We will face Senegal in the quarterfinals. Senegal will be the favourites, just as Morocco and Tunisia were in our previous matches. We have a clear objective, which is to remain in the competition.”

Mali will face Senegal, who qualified after beating Sudan 3-1.