Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has described Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as the “group of death”, insisting that all four teams in the group have what it takes to progress to the knockout stage.
Speaking to ABC News GH TV, Saintfiet said the presence of host nation Morocco, former champions Zambia, Comoros and Mali makes Group A one of the toughest in the tournament’s group phase.
“In our group, all four teams can qualify,” Saintfiet said.
“Comoros reached the quarter-finals in 2021, Zambia is always at AFCON and even won the title in 2012, Morocco as hosts are very strong, and we as Mali have always been at AFCON in the last 20 years.”
The Belgian coach added that the depth of experience and ambition within the group sets it apart from the others.
“I think we are probably the strongest group,” he stated.
“There are no easy groups. The moment you qualify for AFCON, you are a good country.”
Saintfiet also downplayed the relevance of players’ club status and earnings, arguing that commitment and national pride are often the decisive factors at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“On African soil, it’s not always about where players play in Europe or how much they earn,” he said.
“It’s the eagerness and desire to represent your country the willingness to die for your country that decides how far you go.”
While maintaining that Group A is the toughest “on paper”, Saintfiet warned that AFCON history shows that lower-ranked teams are capable of causing major upsets.
“In 2019, we saw it with Madagascar. At AFCON 2021, we saw Gambia and Comoros, and at AFCON 2023, we saw Cape Verde,” he said.
“Small countries in Africa can pull surprises.”
Group A features host nation Morocco, 2012 champions Zambia, Comoros, and Mali, with the four teams set to battle for qualification in what Saintfiet believes will be a fiercely contested opening round of AFCON 2025.
