Gabon 1-1 Mali (a.e.t., Mali win 5-4 on penalties)
BARCELONA’S SEYDOU KEITA scored the winning penalty as Mali progressed to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after a dramatic shootout against tournament co-hosts Gabon.
Fans in Libreville’s Stade d’Angondjé were stunned six minutes from the end of normal time when Cheik Diabaté grabbed an equaliser for Mali, cancelling out Eric Mouloungui’s 55th-minute opener and forcing the game into extra time.
And though a second yellow card for Modibo Maiga saw Mali reduced to 10 men for the additional period, Gabon rode their luck and were fortunate to see the game into penalties.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a national hero following his three goals in the group stages, saw his spot kick saved by Diakité in the shootout before Keita coolly wrapped up Mali’s place in the final four.
YouTube Credit: iFootball10
Ghana 2-1 Tunisia (a.e.t.)
André Ayew was Ghana’s hero as the Black Stars took another step their fifth Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 win against Tunisia in extra-time.
The Marseille man pounced on a mistake by Tunisia keeper Aymen Mahtlouthi in the 101st minute to fire home the winning goal and set up a semi-final against Zambia on Wednesday evening.
It was Ghana who started the brightest and they took the lead after just nine minutes when captain John Mensah stole in at the back post to head home an early corner.
But Tunisia worked their way back into the game and, after a penalty shout was waved away by the referee, equalised in the 42nd minute through Saber Khelifa.
Tunisia finished the game with 10 men after defender Aymen Abdennour’s saw red for an elbow on Ayew in the second half of extra time, and Ghana hung on for a hard-fought win.
YouTube Credit: K00URATIMEHD
Saturday’s results
- Zambia 3-0 Sudan
- Ivory Coast 3-0 Equatorial Guinea
Semi-finals (Wednesday)
- Zambia v Ghana (16:00 GMT)
- Mali v Ivory Coast (19:00 GMT)