Former coach of Mali, Tom Saintfiet, has stated that African football deserves to be accorded a lot more respect after nine of 10 representatives advanced to the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
Africa was represented by a record-breaking 10 teams at the ongoing Mundial with only Tunisia crashing out at the first hurdle.
Belgian coach Saintfiet has now said Europe ought to show a lot more respect to African football.
“Since 2008 I work for most of the time in Africa, all these years I felt in Europe a kind of disrespect for African football in general, an idea that Africa isn’t that strong as football continent,” he posted on Facebook.
“Even before this World Cup many were criticising the new format and why we need 10 African countries on a World Cup!
“And just like the 17 years before, I defended Africa with my heart and with facts! And now after the first round, the whole world get the proof that Africa is the strongest football continent of all!
“Nine out of 10 African nations qualified for the second round (only Tunisia went home) that’s 90%!
“Three from the 16 European countries went home… that’s 19% so 81% went to the next round. In Comnibol 83% of the countries qualified for the second round, in Concacaf only 50%, in AFC only 29% and in OFC 0%!
“So let’s respect Africa and it’s football!”
