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South Africa v Mali
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The South Africa v Mali penalty shoot-out at AFCON 2013
The South Africa v Mali penalty shoot-out at AFCON 2013
By Ayodele Odumade
Mali beat South Africa on penalties to qualify for the semi-final of the African Cup of Nations, by knocking out the hosts for the second time in two years.
In the 12th minute, Siboniso Gaxa crossed the ball to May Mahlangu but his header went wide. In the 20th minute, Mahlangu played a slide rule pass to Tokelo Rantie but Soumaïla Diakité, who was standing in for the suspended Mamadou Semassa, smothered Rantie’s shot.
In the 24th minute, the ball fell to Bernard Parker in the Malian box but Molla Wagué blocked his shot.
In the 29th minute, Malian left back Adama Tamboura stormed forward on the left with the ball and hit a shot cum cross, which almost caught South African keeper Itumeleng Khune out, but dropped just over the crossbar.
In the 30th minute, South Africa took the lead. A long punt forward by Khune was controlled by Mahlangu, who passed to Thuso Phala. Parker’s shot ricocheted into the path of Rantie who simply could not miss from 3 yards out as he tapped the ball into the net, to give South African a lead they deserved on the balance of play.
In the 41st minute, Fousseyni Diawara broke down the right and laid the ball on for Samba Sow, who failed to compose himself and shot over the bar. The South Africans led 1-0 at half time.
In the 56th minute, Reneilwe Letsholonyane made a slide rule pass to Lehlohonolo Majoro but his shot was saved by Soumaïla Diakité.
A minute later and Mahamadou Samassa broke down the left and crossed to Mali’s talisman Seydou Keita who headed the ball past Khune to equalise for Mali. The goal was against the run of play as South Africa were in control of the game. You could hear a pin drop in the stadium.
In the 61st minute, Mali should have taken the lead as Siboniso Gaxa’s misplaced pass fell to Samassa. However, he was bailed out by his keeper Khune who saved Samassa’s shot. In the 79th minute, Mahlangu’s well hit shot was saved by Diakite. With both teams deadlocked at one all, the match went to extra time.
Extra time could not separate both teams and then came the penalty shootout, which went horribly wrong for South Africa as Malanghu, Dean Furman and Lehlohonolo Majoro all missed from the spot while Mali converted all three penalties taken.
It was very cruel to the South Africans who were much better than Mali on the day but had nothing to show for it at the end. Mali will play the winner of the Togo V Burkina Faso match in the semi-final.