Mali national team head coach Tom Saintfiet is reportedly involved in persuading goalkeeper Djigui Diarra to remain with Yanga SC.
Yanga has received numerous offers for Diarra, but the club's first-choice goalkeeper—also Mali's number one—has informed the management that he does not wish to leave.
Saintfiet, who previously coached Yanga in 2012, is said to have influenced Diarra’s decision due to the coach’s national team plans and the importance of the goalkeeper maintaining top form, especially as he is currently Mali's key player between the posts.
"I heard Diarra was considering leaving Yanga. I met with him and listened to his concerns. There are things I advised him to reflect on carefully," Saintfiet was quoted by Mwanaspoti.
"I know Diarra wouldn't struggle to find a good team, but based on the clubs he mentioned, I think it's better he stays at Yanga because I don’t see it as the wrong place for him."
"There are clubs that may offer a lot of money, but their squad situations could damage his reputation or even cost him his spot on the national team. I see that Yanga has greatly improved and are hungry for major African titles. I believe he's still in the right place," he added.
Diarra is currently in his fourth season with Yanga and continues to be a key figure in the goalkeeping position.
The goalkeeper, who joined Yanga on August 8, 2021 from Stade Malien of Mali, still has two years remaining on his contract.
