Tom Saintfiet, the head coach of the Zambia national team, resigned after the country crashed out in the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations without any points.

“This was my last match as coach of Gambia. My contract expires in August 2026, but I will step down,” the Belgian told the media on Monday following a dramatic 3-2 defeat at the hands of Cameroon.

Saintfiet joined the Scorpions of Gambia as their head coach in 2018 and qualified the country for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021 and 2023. He also improved Gambia FIFA’s ranking to the 126th place they currently occupy.

But the 50-year-old did not see the accomplishments as good enough to warrant him staying as the head coach of the national team.

“Thanks to the FA and my staff. I am forever a Gambian. My daughter is 7, and when I told her I’ll resign, she was not happy. But I believe this is the time,” he added.

Reacting to the decision, the Gambia Football Federation thanked Saintfiet for the years of service, noting that the “tactician” would be missed by the country.

“Thank you for your service, gaffer. After everything is said and done, Gambia will indeed miss a great tactician. Five and a half years of incredible service to our nation, qualifying us to back-to-back AFCON was no fluke. Always the best of luck,” the statement said.