Watch: Former Malta coach Saintfiet leads Gambia to Africa Cup of Nations finals

Tom Saintfiet achieved his first major success with Gambia as the former Malta coach guided his team to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history following a 1-0 home win over Angola on Thursday.

Saintfiet has been in charge of the Gambian national team for the last three years after he was sacked as Malta coach after just three matches in charge following reports that he had applied for the job of coach of Cameroon.

On Thursday, Gambia bagged their third win of the campaign when Assan Ceesay netted the all-important goal against Angola to ensure his country joined Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon from Group D into the continental finals.

Tom Saintfiet attributed the victory to teamwork.

“We make history because we have the best team and not the best players. We competed in the last two years with the best teams in Africa. No one of all these teams like Algeria, Morocco, Angola and DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) were better than us. No one can beat us,” Saintfiet said in his post-match press conference.

The Belgian tactician said that they have enjoyed convenient transport arrangements as the Gambian Football Federation (GFF) and the government has been arranging special charter flights to take players to matches across the continent and from their professional clubs in Europe.