 He stayed with Troyes for five seasons, including the 2003–04 season after their relegation to Ligue 2.Moving back into Ligue 1 with a transfer to newly promoted FC Istres in 2004, Saïfi played 35 matches before leaving following the club's relegation.In 2005, he joined AC Ajaccio, also newly promoted, and suffered a third relegation in four years.