TANGIER, Morocco — Ahead of a high-stakes 2025 AFCON quarter-final clash against neighbours Senegal, Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has credited much of his team’s resilience to South African conditioning coach Riedoh Berdien.
Speaking at a press conference at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Thursday, Saintfiet described Berdien, formerly of Mamelodi Sundowns and currently with Simba SC, as perhaps the best conditioning coach on the continent.
Saintfiet’s trust in the UEFA B license holder stems from a professional relationship spanning over a decade. The two have worked together since 2014, when the Belgian coach was in South Africa with Free State Stars, then with the Togo and Gambia national teams, and now with Mali.
“I’ve known Riedoh since 2014 when I was in South Africa,” Saintfiet said. “He travelled with me all over Africa, all over the world. He’s probably the best physical coach in Africa and one of the best in the world.”
RIEDOH BERDIEN CREDITED FOR ZERO INJURIES AND HIGH ENDURANCE
Mali enters the quarter-finals following a gruelling Round of 16 victory over Tunisia, which went to penalties after 120 minutes.
Despite the physical toll of the tournament, Saintfiet highlighted the squad’s remarkable fitness levels.
He noted the team’s ability to remain dangerous during extra time against Tunisia, even after playing nearly 100 minutes with 10 men following a red card.
“We are after three weeks of AFCON, we have zero injuries… That’s something that shows our physical coach did a great job,” Saintfiet added.
The revered tactician, who has set a minimum goal of reaching the AFCON semi-finals, emphasised that surrounding himself with elite specialists like Berdien is essential for competing with Africa’s heavyweights.
“I want the best people around me,” Saintfiet stated. “If we want to be competing with the best, we need the best… and Riedoh is very important in that.”
Mali, currently dubbed ‘big outsiders’ in the tournament, will look to cause an upset against the favoured Senegalese side on Friday, 9 January.
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