Mali, Ghana through to semifinals
Source: Agencies |
February 4, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
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MALI again showed incredible resilience to come from behind and knock the host team out of the Africa Cup of Nations in a penalty shootout for the second straight year, joining Ghana in the semifinals on Saturday.
The Malians came from 0-1 down to level and then oust South Africa in their quarterfinal after a shootout, repeating the come-from-behind victory from last year when they surged past co-host Gabon to make the last four.
Inspirational Mali captain Seydou Keita equalized in regular time after Tokelo Rantie gave South Africa the early lead in front of 50,000 in Durban. Goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite then saved two penalties and watched another go flying past his post to see the Malians through 3-1 and again give their troubled country hope of a morale boosting first ever African Cup title.
"This victory means a lot to everyone in Mali," Keita said, with his nation's flag wrapped around him. "This is an emotional moment for me and this team."
Ghana was the first team to make the semifinals when Wakaso Mubarak came off the bench to score twice and end Cape Verde's fairytale run with a 2-0 win in Port Elizabeth.
The Black Stars remained on course for a fifth African title and first in over 30 years.
Mali will play Ivory Coast or Nigeria, and Ghana the winner of the Togo-Burkina Faso quarterfinal as the West African countries were left to dominate the final stages of the cup following South Africa's painful exit.
The Malians came from 0-1 down to level and then oust South Africa in their quarterfinal after a shootout, repeating the come-from-behind victory from last year when they surged past co-host Gabon to make the last four.
Inspirational Mali captain Seydou Keita equalized in regular time after Tokelo Rantie gave South Africa the early lead in front of 50,000 in Durban. Goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite then saved two penalties and watched another go flying past his post to see the Malians through 3-1 and again give their troubled country hope of a morale boosting first ever African Cup title.
"This victory means a lot to everyone in Mali," Keita said, with his nation's flag wrapped around him. "This is an emotional moment for me and this team."
Ghana was the first team to make the semifinals when Wakaso Mubarak came off the bench to score twice and end Cape Verde's fairytale run with a 2-0 win in Port Elizabeth.
The Black Stars remained on course for a fifth African title and first in over 30 years.
Mali will play Ivory Coast or Nigeria, and Ghana the winner of the Togo-Burkina Faso quarterfinal as the West African countries were left to dominate the final stages of the cup following South Africa's painful exit.
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