The Mali national team is fourth in Group I of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, four points behind leaders Comoros.
The Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, was dismissed from his post on Thursday 13 June by the Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT). In a statement to APA, the federation said its executive committee had “unanimously” decided to axe the 46-year-old coach.
Appointed in May 2022, the Malian coach was in the hot seat because of the national team’s inconsistent results.
During the recent international window, as part of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the Eagles of Mali suffered a home defeat to Ghana (1-2) and a disappointing nil-nil draw with Madagascar. These results put them a long way from their goal of qualifying for a World Cup for the first time.
Pending the appointment of their new coach, Mali, quarter-finalists at the last Africa Cup of Nations, are fourth in Pool I of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, four points behind group leaders Comoros.
ODL/te/fss/as/APA