Tom Saintfiet has announced his resignation as the Gambia head coach after the country’s 3-2 defeat to Cameroon in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
The Scorpions failed to progress beyond the group stage in Ivory Coast as they lost all three Group C matches.
The Belgian coach spent five and a half years in the West African country, and he led the country to back-to-back AFCON tournaments in 2021 and 2023 with an improved position in the FIFA rankings as they are currently 126th in the world.
He masterminded the Gambia’s maiden AFCON appearance in 2021 and he led them to the quarter-final stage where they bowed to Cameroon.
Saintfiet confirmed his departure in Bouake after the five-goal thriller that ended against the Gambia even though his contract runs till August 2026.
“This was my last match as coach of Gambia. My contract expires in August 2026, but I step down,” Saintfiet told the media.
“Thanks to the FA and my staff. I am forever a Gambian. My daughter is 7, and when I told her I’ll resign, she was not happy. But I believe this is the time.”
The Gambia Football Federation responded to Saintfiet’s resignation with an appreciation message for his strides.
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
The 50-year-old did not disclose his next move as it remains to be seen if he will remain in Africa having previously coached Namibia, Togo, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia national teams.
