This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress-Rabat-Caf
The Mali coach says he is satisfied with the draw of his team who will have to face the host country, Morocco, Zambia and Comoros in Group A of the African CAF Totalnergies 2025 CAF Cup.
There is obviously nothing to worry about the Eagles of Mali. The coach Tom SaintFiet finds the group A that he shares with the organizing country, Morocco, Zambia and Comoros completely playable for his team. At the end of the draw held Monday at the Mohammed V national theater in Rabat, the Belgian technician wanted to be confident.
“I think we can be happy with the draw … In the group with Morocco, Comoros and Zambia, I think we have opportunities,” he said. Having to face the organizing country, far from being a misfortune, represents for him an exciting challenge. “I think that playing against Morocco in Morocco is always an interesting match, each player, each coach wants to play this match, it’s a very competitive match,” says the former boss of the Gambian selection.
Tom SaintFiet’s confidence does not exclude distrust, in a competition where surprises have become legions and where the level of teams tends more and more to balance. “All the teams qualified for the CAN are good teams, every 24 teams have quality, there is never an easy match in Africa, a 100% safe match, especially at CAN. It proved in the latest editions with the results of Madagascar, Gambia, Comoros, Mauritania, Namibia and other countries, ”recognizes the Belgian tactician.
Semi-final
But anyway, the Mali coach remains focused on his goal, he who aims at least the last square in the competition. “We have the ambition to stay at CAN, until the end, we want to play 7 games, that is to say that we want to play the little final or the grand finale, we said, we want Playing the semi-finals, that is to say that we are going to play 7 games, “he said.
He certainly knows that his team will have the obligation to whip to escape the competition which promises to be fierce. “It will not be easy. I think there are ten to twelve countries that want to play the final, we know that Morocco is the big favorite, we know that there is also Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, the Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, naturally and also, like us, Burkina Faso, DR Congo and South Africa which are also strong, ”analyzes Tom SaintFiet.
But the whole key, according to him, is in the preparation of the team which implies both the players, the technical staff, the federation and the country’s government. “Players must be concentrated, players must be well prepared by us, such as the Federation, the government to be ready for these matches,” he concludes.
Tom SaintFiet who had succeeded in driving the Gambia to the quarter -final during the 2021 edition in Cameroon is eagerly awaited for this first expedition at the head of the Eagles of Mali. Mali who will know its 14 African CAF Totalnergies African Cup in Morocco still runs after a first trophy in the competition. The place of finalist obtained in 1972 in Cameroon remains its best performance in the tournament. The country was also semi-finalist four times, especially in 2002 (at home), in 2004, in 2012 and 2013.
The CAN CAF Totalenergies, Morocco 2025 will be played from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
