On the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Senegal, Mali's coach Tom Saintfiet spoke at a press conference about his squad management and tactical vision for the knockout stages. The Belgian coach revealed the reasons behind his numerous changes since the start of the tournament.

When questioned about the frequent rotations within the Eagles squad, the Malian coach justified his approach by citing the need for adaptation. According to him, each match requires a specific strategy, and it's impossible to field the same starting eleven against opponents with such contrasting styles as Zambia or Morocco. He also pointed out that some absences were simply due to the unpredictable nature of the game, such as suspensions for red and yellow cards, which are a reality of football.

Beyond regulatory constraints, Tom Saintfiet sees this rotation as a powerful psychological tool. He believes that when you select twenty-eight players, you must show confidence in each of them to maintain collective motivation. To date, almost his entire squad has benefited from playing time, which avoids frustration and strengthens cohesion. For the coach, victory is a collective achievement that belongs to all twenty-eight selected players, not just those who started that day.

Regarding the approach to knockout matches, the coach advocates a delicate balance between tactical discipline and creativity. He acknowledges that while Mali possesses great technical ability and excellent ball possession, the team still needs to improve its attacking efficiency. He recalled the resounding victories achieved during the qualifiers to highlight the potential of his attack, while admitting that the demands of the Africa Cup of Nations require even greater rigor.

To face Senegal, Tom Saintfiet doesn't intend to revolutionize his playing system but plans to adjust his starting lineup based on their form and specific characteristics. He says he is extremely proud of his players, whom he describes as fantastic both technically and mentally. Confident and calm, the Malian coach assures that his men are ready to rise to the occasion for this historic challenge.