The announcement, made on Wednesday evening, ends weeks of speculation and underscores the federation's bid to steady the ship ahead of the qualifiers.
Femafoot confirmed Saintfiet's appointment on its social media handles, ending a selection process that reportedly considered six candidates.
The Belgian emerged victorious from a shortlist that included high-profile names such as Antonio Conceiçao, Hector Cùper, and Pitso Mosimane.
Saintfiet's contract, a two-year deal with the possibility of extension, comes with lofty expectations.
The appointment marks a significant shift from Saintfiet's recent role with the Philippines national team, a position he took up in February just after leaving Gambia.
His decision to activate a clause allowing him to return to African football underscores the allure and challenge of managing one of the continent's sleeping giants.
Femafoot has set ambitious targets for the new coach, including reaching the semi-finals of AFCON 2025 in Morocco and securing Mali's qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
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