Mali axe coach Eric Chelle

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Jun 15, 2024. 13:31

Mali’s Football Federation have acted swiftly in the wake of their disappointing Matchdays 3 and 4 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers by parting ways with coach Eric Chelle.

The Eagles took just one point from two matches in June against Ghana (1-2 home loss in Bamako) and Madagascar (0-0 away draw in neutral Johannesburg), which saw them placed fourth in Group I – four points off the pace of leaders Comoros.

Chelle – a former Malian international – had been in charge of the team since 2022 and took them to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where they were narrowly beaten after extra time by hosts and eventual champions Cote d’Ivoire.

The Malian federation (FEMAFOOT) released a statement on X confirming their decision to remove Chelle.

“The Executive Committee of the Malian Football Federation, meeting in an extraordinary session today, unanimously decided, with the agreement of the supervisory authority, to end the collaboration between the coach of the Senior National Team, Mr. Eric Sekou Chelle, and FEMAFOOT,” read the statement.

“The Executive Committee thanks the person concerned for the efforts made at the head of the Eagles.”

Mali will be in World Cup Qualifying action again next March with matches away to Comoros and Central African Republic.