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Goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakite made two saves in the shootout as Mali ousted host South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a 3-1 win on penalties on Saturday.
It came down to penalties after they drew 1-1 in regulation and were scoreless in extra-time.
Tokelo Rantie opened the scoring for South Africa in regulation with a close-range shot in the 31st minute and Seydou Keita netted the equaliser with a header in the 58th to send the match into extra-time.
Denied: Mali goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakite saves a penalty from May Mahlangu during their 3-1 shootout win
MATCH FACTS
South Africa: Khune, Gaxa, Khumalo, Sangweni, Masilela, Furman, Mahlangu, Phala (Serero 89), Letsholonyane, Parker (Tshabalala 105),Rantie (Majoro 41).
Subs Not Used: Meyiwa, Nthethe, Ngcongca, Chabangu, Matlaba, Dikgacoi, Manyisa.
Booked: Khumalo, Rantie, Phala, Majoro, Masilela.
Goals: Rantie 31.
Mali: Diakite, Diawara, Adama Coulibaly, Wague, Tamboura, Sissoko (Mahamane Traore 55), Sow,Keita, Samba Diakite (Sigamary Diarra 24),Mahamadou Samassa (Diabate 88), Maiga.
Subs Not Used: Yirango, Idrissa Coulibaly, Cheick Diarra, Kalilou Traore, Salif Coulibaly, N'Diaye, Ousmane Coulibaly.
Booked: Sow, Mahamane Traore.
Goals: Keita 58.
Att: 45,000
Ref: Neant Alioum (Cameroon).
Midfielders Dean Furman and May Mahlangu had their shots saved by Diakite, and striker Lehlohonolo Majoro sent his shot wide for Mali to reach the semi-finals for the second time in a row.
Cheick Tidiane Diabate, Adama Tamboura and Mahamane Traore scored Mali's goals in the shootout, while Siphiwe Tshabalala was the lone South African to find the net.
Diakite was playing only because regular starter Mamadou Samassa was suspended after receiving yellow cards in the previous two matches. He stopped both penalty shots by diving to his right and deflecting the ball wide.
Mali has reached the semis for the fourth time in the last seven editions. They were eliminated by Ivory Coast last year before finishing third.
This year they will play either Ivory Coast or Nigeria, who play their quarter-final on Sunday in Rustenburg. Ghana beat Cape Verde 2-0 in the first quarte-rfinal earlier Saturday. Burkina Faso and Togo also play on Sunday.
The last time South Africa made it to the semi-finals was in 2000, when it lost to eventual runner-up Nigeria. The South Africans had been second in the previous edition, in 1998, and lifted their only trophy two years before that, as hosts.
South Africa entered this year's tournament without a lot of public support after disappointing results in the buildup. A lackluster 0-0 draw against newcomer Cape Verde in the opener didn't help much. The fans came on board after improved performances in the final group matches but the team was not able to keep its run alive.
Despair: South Africa players look dejected after their loss on penalties to Mali
The quarter-final was mostly even in the Moses Mabhida Stadium but South Africa got closer to the Mali net throughout. Mali pressed forward after conceding the goal but didn't threaten much. With the teams visibly tired in extra-time, few chances were produced by either side.
The South African goal came in a breakaway just after the half-hour mark. Thuso Phala received a pass inside the area in good position to shoot, but he mishit the ball and it trickled across to Rantie, who came in charging to send a firm shot into the back of the net.
The hosts seemed in control until Mali equalised in the second half by taking advantage of a positioning mistake by the defense.
Jubilant: Mali players celebrate their dramatic win in Durban
Mahamadou Samassa made a run on the left side and crossed the ball into the area to Keita, who easily headed it in from the six-yard line as three defenders around him just watched.
Samassa had a great chance to give Mali the lead in a breakaway just a few minutes later but his close-range shot was saved by South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2272555/Africa-Cup-Nations-South-Africa-1-Mali-1-AET-1-3-pens--match-report.html#ixzz2JoGBKxaJ
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