As Mali prepare for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Ghana today, September 8, at the Accra Sports Stadium , head coach Tom Saintfiet has dismissed any concerns about the playing surface, insisting it will not be a factor in Monday’s showdown.
“I’m not a coach who complains about pitches — they don’t affect the outcome of a game,” said Mali coach Tom Saintfiet ahead of their WC Qualifier against Ghana #HappySports#BlackStars pic.twitter.com/EE2rCRAEb0
— Happy Sports (@HappySportsGh) September 7, 2025
“I’m not the kind of coach who talks about pitches. Both teams will play on the same pitch; it won’t affect our game against Ghana,” Saintfiet said ahead of the encounter.
For the Belgian tactician, focus remains firmly on performance and execution rather than external conditions. Mali sit third in Group I with 12 points and know they must deliver a strong result to keep their World Cup dream alive.
The Black Stars, meanwhile, top the group with 16 points but dropped valuable points in their 1-1 draw against Chad, giving Mali and Comoros fresh hope in the race for qualification.
