Head Coach of the Mali men’s national team, Tom Saintfiet, has downplayed the significance of pitch conditions ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ghana at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Saintfiet made this remark during a pre-game press conference on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Saintfiet, known for his pragmatic approach, believes that pitch conditions do not affect the outcome of a game.
“I am not the kind of coach who talks about pitches and circumstances. The pitch is for both teams, the same level…pitches have no influence, we have no influence on pitches,” he stated confidently.
This stance contrasts with Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, who faced criticism for attributing the Black Stars’ 1-1 draw with Chad in N’Djamena to the poor state of the astroturf.
Otto Addo had complained that playing on the pitch felt like playing on concrete and that the team’s inability to play fast was due to the pitch not being watered.
Despite these differing views, Saintfiet expressed his team’s readiness to face Ghana.
“We play tomorrow on any pitch and we will play a good game with our potential.”
Mali’s national team has been performing well under Saintfiet’s guidance, and they will look to continue this trend against Ghana ¹.
The match is scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2025, at 19:00 GMT. With Mali currently fourth in Group I, four points behind leaders Comoros and second-placed Ghana, a win would be crucial for their World Cup qualifying aspirations.
