In a fiery aftermath to Ghana’s narrow 1-0 victory over Mali in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Accra, Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Black Stars’ winning strike.

The decisive moment came when Alexander Djiku found the net, sending Ghana to the summit of Group I. But Saintfiet, visibly displeased, insisted the goal would not have stood under modern video technology.

> “Had VAR been in use, Djiku’s goal would have been disallowed,” he told Sportsblog247.com, sparking fresh debate on the absence of VAR in the African qualifiers.

Despite the defeat, the Belgian tactician—renowned for guiding The Gambia to successive AFCON appearances—remained defiant, promising Mali would battle through their remaining fixtures to keep their World Cup dream alive.

> “Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup will be tough, but we will fight to win our remaining games,” he declared.

Saintfiet also showed grace in defeat, acknowledging Ghana’s long-standing stature in world football.

> “Ghana will always be a giant in African and international football. Failing to qualify for AFCON doesn’t change that,” he added.

Interestingly, the coach revealed he once interviewed for the Black Stars job before Otto Addo was appointed—and would not rule out working alongside him in the future.

For now, though, Mali’s road to the World Cup has grown steeper, but with playoff slots still on the line, their hopes remain very much alive.