Mali will not park the bus against Morocco – Tom Saintfiet

Flashback to 12th June 2019, when the Gambia shockingly defeated Morocco in an international friendly at the Stade de Marrakech.

Musa Barrow’s 27th-minute strike separated the David and Goliath affair. The Gambia, then managed by Belgian tactician Tom Saintfiet return to Banjul in delight.

Six years later, Tom Saintfiet is in charge of Mali in the 2025 AFCON with his side set to face the host nation, Morocco, on matchday 2.

Ahead of the crucial fixture in Rabat at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdalah on Sunday night, Saintfiet has confirmed that he will not park the bus as he did in 2019 with the Gambia because Mali have geat players to match Morocco

“Will we park the bus against Morocco? I’ve played Morocco only once, back in 2019.

He continued, “We won 1-0 by parking the bus with only 21% possession. So, I want to maintain my 100% record against them. However, in Mali, I don’t have a ‘bus’. I want to play 100% attacking football because we have great players.”

Morocco fought hard to defeat Comoros 2-0 in their opening game, while Mali missed a huge opportunity to beat Zambia after the Chipolopolos equalised on the stroke of half-time in the 1-1 draw.