Tom Saintfiet, the head coach of the Gambia national team, has resigned with immediate effect following their group stage elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations 2023.
The Belgiun coach’s decision comes after Gambia’s failure to secure even a single point in the tournament. Despite taking the lead against Cameroon in their final game, a late free-kick by Christopher Wooh sealed the Scorpions’ fate, leaving them bottom of their group with losses to Senegal, Guinea, and Cameroon.
While Saintfiet’s contract extended until August 2026, he opted to step down, stating: “This was my last match as coach of Gambia. My daughter is not happy, but I believe this is the time.”
Despite the recent disappointment, Saintfiet will be remembered for leading Gambia to their first-ever AFCON appearance in 2021, where they reached the quarter-finals, a remarkable achievement for the small West African nation.
His departure opens the door for a new era in Gambian football, with the search for a new coach set to begin immediately. While Saintfiet’s legacy is mixed, his contribution to Gambian football cannot be overshadowed by the recent AFCON performance.
