Mali tops South Africa on penalties to reach semis

It came down to penalties after they drew 1-1 in regulation and were scoreless in extra time.

"This victory means a lot to everyone in Mali," captain Seydou Keita said, with his nation's flag wrapped around him. "This is an emotional moment for me and this team. We did our job today as we were expected to do, we fought hard."

Tokelo Rantie opened the scoring for South Africa in regulation with a close-range shot in the 31st minute and Keita netted the equalizer with a header in the 58th to send the match into extra time.

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 semifinals a second straight time.

"Obviously there's major disappointment now," Furman said. "We allowed them to equalize but then we battled so hard for the rest of the game. To lose on penalties the way we did is heartbreaking."

Cheick 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.

"I picked my spot, I said that I was going to go there, I had practiced going there," Furman said. "Got to give credit to the keeper, he guessed right and saved it."

Majoro had to score to keep the hosts alive but his shot missed way right, silencing the nearly 50,000 local supporters in Moses Mabhida Stadium.

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.

"A lot of things didn't go our way," South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune said. "Credit must go to their keeper."

Mali has reached the semis for the fourth time in the last seven editions. It was eliminated by Ivory Coast last year before finishing third.