By Victor Kanayo
Mali have sacked head coach of the country’s men National team, Eric Chelle.
This was disclosed by the Mali Football Federation in a statement, though no reason was given for the decision.
Part of the statement said, “The executive committee of the Malian Football Federation, meeting in extraordinary session today unanimously decided, with the agreement of the supervisory authority, to end the collaboration between the coach of the National Team Senior, Eric Sekou Chelle and the federation.”
The decision comes days after Mali were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Madagascar in a Group I World Cup qualifier in Johannesburg.
Chelle, 46, born in the Ivory Coast to a French father and a Malian mother, was brought up in France. He played at club level mostly in France and for Mali at the international level where he made five appearances between 2004 and 2006.
He was appointed as Mali’s head coach in May 2022 and led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
Before managing Mali, Chelle’s previous coaching experience was at Martigues and Boulogne in the French lower divisions.
Pending the appointment of their new coach, Mali, quarter-finalists at the last Africa Cup of Nations, are fourth in Pool I of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, four points behind group leaders Comoros.
