Badou Zaki shortlisted for Mali head coach job

Badou Zaki is among five candidates shortlisted for the position of head coach of Mali national football team, following the dismissal of Tom Saintfiet in late April, the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) announced.

In a statement, Femafoot said that five candidates were selected from a total of 28 applications reviewed by the committee tasked with appointing a successor to the Belgian coach.

The shortlist includes Moroccan coach Badou Zaki, Congolese manager Florent Ibenge, Mali’s Mohamed Magassouba, and Portuguese coaches António Conceição and Anthony Da Silva.

According to the federation, the committee’s findings and recommendations will be submitted to Femafoot’s Executive Committee during its regular meeting scheduled for May 26, 2026.

Femafoot terminated Saintfiet’s contract after Mali’s quarter-final elimination at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations.