Mali U20 head coach Mamoutou Kane submitted his resignation on 20 October 2026, after the Junior Eagles were eliminated in the group stage of the UFOA-A tournament held in Bamako. FEMAFOOT made the split official and announced a restructuring of its National Technical Directorate.
The Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) made the termination of Mamoutou Kane’s contract official in a statement published in Bamako. The Mali U20 head coach leaves his post after the Junior Eagles’ early exit in the group stage of the UFOA-A tournament, played on home soil, according to Kibaru Sports.
Bamako Matin reports that the coach formally submitted his resignation letter on 20 October 2026, after a meeting with Mahazou, known as Baba Cisset, president of the FEMAFOOT Executive Committee.
Two 0-1 defeats and an elimination
Mali suffered two consecutive 0-1 defeats, first against Guinea and then against Gambia, reports Foot-Africa.com. Those two poor results knocked the hosts out of the race for qualification for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations finals, Kibaru Sports specifies.
The federation highlighted a “particularly disappointing result given the resources mobilised and the ambitions set out”, according to Maliko News. The parting of ways follows that elimination.
A resignation sent by letter
In a statement, the FEMAFOOT Executive Committee explained the procedure: “Taking note of the Executive Committee’s analysis, set out by President Cisset, of the requirements inherent in the new governance of football now in place, Mr Mamoutou Kane submitted his resignation by letter dated 20 October 2026.”
The governing body also praised Mamoutou Kane’s professionalism and wished him well for the rest of his coaching career, reports Bamada.net.
FEMAFOOT restructures its technical directorate
FEMAFOOT took the opportunity of this departure to announce a comprehensive restructuring of the National Technical Directorate and of all youth categories, according to Fasomali. The measure therefore goes beyond the head coach’s case alone.
On the sporting side, Guinea top Group A with six points after two 1-0 wins against Mali and Liberia, while Gambia occupy the second qualifying place with four points ahead of the final matchday, according to Foot-Africa.com. Mali, already eliminated, play for pride against Liberia this Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 16:00 GMT at Stade Mamadou Konaté.
An imminent appointment of an interim technical staff by the FEMAFOOT Executive Committee is expected; no successor’s name has yet been announced.