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Rabat – Former Morocco national team coach Badou Zaki has officially emerged as one of the leading candidates to become the next head coach of Mali’s national team after the Malian Football Federation revealed on Tuesday the final shortlist for the position.
In an official statement on its Instagram page, the Fédération Malienne de Football (FEMAFOOT) confirmed that a temporary committee began reviewing applications for the national team coaching role on May 13. A total of 28 applications were reportedly examined before the selection process was narrowed down to five.
The key criteria used during the evaluation process, according to FEMAFOOT, are coaching qualifications, previous experience, and each candidate’s sporting project. Following the review, a shortlist of five candidates was qualified for the final stage of the recruitment process.
The candidates
Among them is Badou Zaki, the former Atlas Lions goalkeeper and coach, whose name now stands alongside several experienced international tacticians including Jean-Florent Ibenge, Mohamed Magassouba, Antonio Conceição, and Anthony Da Silva.
The development places Zaki back into the spotlight on the continental coaching scene after years of managing clubs and national teams across Africa and the Middle East. His previous experience with the Moroccan national team, as well as his familiarity with African football, could strengthen his chances during the interview phase.
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The next phase
FEMAFOOT also confirmed that the shortlisted candidates will soon undergo in-depth interviews with the commission before a final recommendation is submitted to the federation’s Executive Committee no later than May 24.
The federation stressed that the final appointment will be made in accordance with principles of transparency, credibility, and sporting performance. Mali is looking to build a competitive national project ahead of upcoming continental and international competitions.
