New Mali coach Anthony Da Silva unveils his roadmap for the Aigles
One month after officially signing his contract, Portuguese tactician Anthony Da Silva addressed the media in Bamako on July 6, 2026, laying out his vision for Mali’s national football team. His project centers on three core pillars: excellence, identity, and dynamic play.
The new head coach is determined to build a competitive squad that balances openness with firm principles. His mission is to instill discipline, structure, and a winning mentality within the team.
“My goal is to bring back pride and joy to Malian football fans. This won’t happen overnight—we’ll progress step by step,” Da Silva stated, balancing realism with ambition during his press conference.
Strict selection criteria, open to all
The coach has set clear benchmarks for player selection, emphasizing unwavering patriotism and absolute discipline as non-negotiable values. Performance and mental attitude will also weigh heavily in his decisions.
Da Silva reassured that the selection process remains inclusive: “Whether a player competes in Mali’s domestic league or overseas, whether they’re 17 or 35, as long as they meet our standards, they’ll be considered,” he affirmed.
A proactive and decisive team
On the pitch, Da Silva envisions a more assertive Mali. He advocates for possession-based football and proactive gameplay, stressing, “I want my teams to control the game, keep the ball, and set the tempo.” He also highlighted the need for sharper finishing in the final third, noting that clinical efficiency has been a missing link for the Aigles in recent years.
First major test: 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
The coach’s blueprint will face its first real challenge in September, when Mali kicks off the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The group includes powerhouse Cape Verde—undefeated in regulation against football giants Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina at the last World Cup—as well as Liberia and Rwanda.
To ensure success, Da Silva plans to collaborate closely with the Malian Football Federation and the National Technical Directorate. “This is a collective effort,” he noted, summarizing his approach with three words: honesty, transparency, and hard work.
Mohamed Kenouvi
