The Eagles of Mali have decided to axe head coach Eric Sekou Chelle from his role as manager, following the team’s disappointing 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying defeat to the Black Stars of Ghana and series of underwhelming performances.
An official Statement from the Malian Football Federation (FERMAFOOT), in collaboration with the Executive Committee in an extraordinary session on Thursday, signaled an end to Chelle’s tenure.
The official decision was taken as a result of underwhelming World Cup qualifying performances, including a 2-1 defeat to the Black Stars on home soil (first home defeat in about a year) and sharing the spoils with 10-man Madagascar.
Mali, who currently sit 4th in Group I with 5 points, will have it all to do in order to secure an automatic World cup slot (1st), or a playoff spot (2nd).
Chelle managed to lead the Eagles to the Quarter-final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, marginally losing out to eventual winners (Ivory Coast) in extra-time.
The immediate focus of FERMAFOOT is to get a viable candidate in the dugout before the next World Cup qualifying game in March 2025 comes by.
Mali part ways with Eric Chelle in wake of Black Stars World Cup qualifying defeat
