Mali’s new football coach Anthony Da Silva unveils his ambitious plan for the Aigles du Mali
A month after officially signing his contract, Anthony Da Silva made his first public appearance on July 6, 2026, in Bamako. The newly appointed head coach of the Mali national team outlined a vision centered on excellence, identity, and playing style.
His strategy is built on three pillars: competitiveness, openness, and clearly defined principles. Da Silva’s goal is to instill a winning culture, strict discipline, and a structured approach to performance.
« My priority is to bring joy back to Malian football fans. This won’t happen overnight—we’ll progress step by step, » he stated, balancing realism with ambition during his press conference.
Clear criteria for selection
To achieve his objectives, Da Silva has set strict but transparent selection criteria. Patriotism and discipline are non-negotiable, while performance and mindset will also play a decisive role. « Whether a player is based in Mali or abroad, young or experienced, they will be considered as long as they meet our standards, » he emphasized.
A dynamic and attacking team
The coach envisions an aggressive, possession-based style of play. « I want my teams to control the game, dictate the tempo, and be proactive in attack, » he explained. Da Silva stressed the need for Mali’s forwards to be more clinical in the final third, a weakness he believes has cost the team in recent years.
CAN 2027: The first real test
The upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2027 qualifiers in September will be Da Silva’s first major challenge. Mali has been drawn in a tough group alongside Cape Verde, Liberia, and Rwanda. Notably, Cape Verde impressed at the last World Cup by remaining unbeaten in regulation time against football powerhouses Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina.
To succeed, Da Silva is banking on close collaboration with the Malian Football Federation and the National Technical Directorate. « This is a collective effort, » he noted, summarizing his approach with three words: « honesty, transparency, and hard work. »
Mohamed Kenouvi
