The Mali Football Federation have announced that they have decided to end their association with national team coach Henryk Kasperczak.

This decision comes following a massive disappointment for the Malians at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they were knocked out of the competition in the group stage.

Mali were unfortunate to be the victims of drawing of lots to decide the team that would progress from Group D.

Cote D’Ivoire topped the group, but Guinea and Mali had drawn all three of their group matches with the same goal difference, and Confederation of African Football (CAF) rules led to the two sides drawing lots, at which point Guinea were fortunate to progress by virtue of the lots.

Expectations would have been high for Mali, as they placed third in the previous edition of the Nations Cup after defeating Ghana 3-1 in Port Elizabeth to end their tournament on a high.

Kasperczak’s departure brings an end to his second spell in charge of the Eagles, following a fourth place finish at the 2002 AFCON when he first took on the reigns of the national team.

The Polish coach is a six edition veteran of the AFCON, having coached Cote D’Ivoire, Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal in the past.

The Mali FA are expected to announce their new coach before the end of the month, and it seems that the likes of Alain Giresse, Stephen Keshi and Patrice Carteron are amongst the candidates being considered for the position.