There is only one Belgian coach active at the Africa Cup. Tom Saintfiet is in the quarter-finals of the African country tournament with Mali. The opponent on duty is Senegal. National coach Saintfiet spoke with The Newspaper.
Saintfiet is a well-known name on the African continent and he is also doing well with Mali at the Africa Cup. The Belgian coach previously announced that the semi-final was the big goal, but that was not appreciated by everyone.
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Harrowing revelation
Saintfiet received death threats. “When I spoke about the semi-finals in international media in the run-up to the African Cup of Nations, I received death threats via social media from Malian supporters. They thought I was not ambitious enough and should resign.”
The supporters even went a step further and personally threatened his family. “They wrote that they would find me and kill me if we don’t win the cup. At one point my daughter and wife were even mentioned by name.”
Not won yet
Mali is in the quarter-finals without a win. In the group stage they drew three times and then won on penalties against Tunisia in the eighth finals. “I will also be satisfied if we win the cup after seven draws and come out on penalties. On the other hand, we haven’t lost yet, that’s how you have to look at it.”
Saintfiet is already hoping for a stunt. “In any case, it will be a tough task. Senegal is a very strong country. Last year they barely lost one match, against Brazil. But they did beat England, for example. That says something. Although we do believe we have a chance.”
