Mali coach Tom Saintfiet shocked by Ghana’s absence from 2025 AFCON

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet has expressed shock over Ghana's failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. 

The four time African champions will not compete in the tournament scheduled to be hosted in Morocco later this year after failing to secure qualification.

After six matches played during the qualifiers, the Black Stars failed to record a single win, finishing at the bottom with just three points making it the first time in over two decades that the West African country will not compete in the continent's most prestigious tournament.

Speaking to the media ahead of Mali's clash with Ghana today, September 8 in the Matchday 8 games in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Belgian coach spoke about his shock over Ghana’s absence in the upcoming tournament.

“It will be a very tough task. I have huge respect for the Ghanaian team. I believe really that they have everything and it’s shocking that they won’t play AFCON," he said.

"A country like Ghana must become African champion in the near future with all this quality,” Saintfiet added.

The game has been scheduled to kick off at 19:00 GMT.