Tom Saintfiet: Mali respect Morocco but target Group A victory

Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has underlined his side’s determination ahead of their Group A clash with hosts Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite contrasting starts for the two teams.Mali were held to a draw by Zambia in their opening match, a result that has increased the importance of securing points in Rabat. Morocco, by contrast, began their campaign with a victory over Comoros, reinforcing their status as one of the tournament favourites.Speaking before the encounter at the Stade Moulay Abdellah, Saintfiet stressed that respect for the hosts would not limit Mali’s ambition.“We respect Morocco. We are not arrogant, but we want to win every match,” the Belgian coach said.With Morocco set to enjoy strong home backing, Mali face a demanding test as they seek to stay on course for a top-two finish in the group. Saintfiet believes his side must show intelligence and discipline, drawing lessons from their opening game against Zambia.The fixture is expected to play a significant role in shaping Group A, with both teams aware that another positive result could place them in a strong position heading into the final round of matches.