Mali has beefed up their technical team with with the appointment of four former players ahead of their 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff games against Tunisia in March.
Frédéric Kanouté, Mohamed Lamine Sissoko, Eric Chelle, and Seydou Keita will work alongside head Mohamed Magassouba who led the Eagles at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Among the four, it is only Chelle who is into coaching. The 37-year-old is the manager of France third-tier club US Boulogne.
During a press conference on Wednesday, the President of the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) Mamoutou Touré announced the appointment of former players to boost their chances against the Carthage Eagles.
“After the elimination of the national team in the round of 16 of the CAN, we met to make a thorough analysis of the situation. Then we met coach Mohamed Magassouba and agreed with him to set up a group of coaches to support him during the two World Cup play-off matches against Tunisia,” Toure said.
Toure explains the games are too close to dismiss Magassouba and appoint a new coach to lead them against Tunisia.
“We are a few days away from calling up the players for the playoffs. If we thank the technician Magassouba, the time to find another coach could play on the rally of the team.”
He says his outfit “is in contact with many coaches, we will take our responsibilities but not before the playoffs”.