AFCON 2023: Saintfiet steps down as Gambia’s coach despite heroic effort
Tom Saintfiet’s emotional rollercoaster with the Gambia came to an end on Tuesday. Despite a valiant effort that almost saw them upset five-time champions Cameroon, the Belgian coach announced his resignation minutes after the Scorpions’ exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Saintfiet, whose contract was due to expire in August, cited wanting a fresh start despite the team’s impressive run at the 2021 AFCON under his leadership.
In an emotional post-match press conference, he expressed his disappointment with the result but emphasized his continued love for the Gambia and its footballing atmosphere.
“I am disappointed with the result and I will also like to announce that this was my last match as the national team coach of Gambia,” Saintfeit said. “I stepped down. I still have a contract till August 2026, but I step down as national team coach.”
His emotional tribute continued, praising the Gambian Football Association, staff, and fans for their unwavering support: “I will always be Gambian, I love Gambia, the fantastic FA president, I’ve worked with several federations but never had such a fantastic president in my federation, fantastic board, the best in the world, coaching staff, medical team, supporting staff are fantastic, they are all amazing.”
Saintfiet’s tenure with the Gambia, his 10th national team coaching job, was undoubtedly his most successful. He steered the small West African nation to their first-ever AFCON appearance in 2021, famously guiding them to the quarterfinals in a Cinderella run.
While they couldn’t replicate that magic in Côte d’Ivoire, they pushed Cameroon, the eventual finalists, to the brink in their final group game, leading 2-1 with minutes remaining before ultimately falling 3-2. Despite the group stage exit, Saintfiet leaves a legacy of hope and belief in Gambian football.
Gambia Football Federation bids farewell
The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) issued a statement on X expressing their gratitude to Saintfiet for his service as head coach of the national team.
“Thank you for your service gaffer. After everything is said and done, Gambia will indeed miss a great tactician,” the GFF said in their statement. “Five and a half years of incredible service to our nation, qualifying us to back-to-back AFCON was no fluke. Always the best of luck.”
Thank you for your service gaffer. After everything is said and done, Gambia will indeed miss a great tactician. Five and a half years of incredible service to our nation, qualifying us to back to back AFCON was no fluke. Always the best of luck pic.twitter.com/6KrfBUfFot
— Official GFF 🇬🇲 (@TheGambiaFF) January 23, 2024
