Mali 1 Gabon 1 (AET, 5-4 on pens): Mali set up semi-final date with Ivory Coast
Last updated at 9:59 PM on 5th February 2012
Mali beat co-host Gabon in a penalty shoot-out on Sunday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.
Gabon's hero from the group stage, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, missed his team's fourth spot kick to allow Seydou Keita to score the decisive penalty and send Mali through.
The teams were level after 90 minutes thanks to Tidiane Diabate's late strike, which cancelled out Eric Mouloungui's opener.
Edge: Mali scaped into the semi-finals
Miss: Pierre Eymerick Aubameyang saw his penalty saved
The result meant both co-hosts have been eliminated in the space of 24 hours, after Equatorial Guinea lost 3-0 to Ivory Coast on Saturday.
Aubameyang scored three goals in as many games to help Gabon finish top of Group C and the wife of Gabon's president has worn a bright yellow shirt bearing his shirt number, nine, at each match.
The striker also hit the post and set up Gabon's opening goal in this match, but dissolved into tears and had to be consoled by teammates after his spot kick was saved by Mali goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite.
Gabon started well and had a great chance to take the lead when Aubameyang sprung the offside trap to go clean through on goal in the 29th minute, but his side-footed effort struck the bottom of the post and rebounded to safety.
Level: Mali scored a late equaliser
Tight: Gabon's Charly Moussono (right) vies for the ball with Mustapha Yatabare (left)
Their dominance continued after the break and the deadlock was finally broken when a deep free kick found Aubameyang at the back post and his cutback allowed Mouloungui to force the ball past Diakite.
Mali almost hit back straight away when Modibo Maiga turned his defender on the edge of the box and forced a low save from Gabon goalkeeper Didier Ovono.
Gabon hit the woodwork for the second time in the match as Daniel Cousin's close-range shot rebounded off the post and into the grateful arms of Diakite.
Maiga went close for Mali after pouncing on a defensive error, only to see his shot smothered by Ovono in the 71st minute.
Threat: Mali goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite under pressure
Looking forwards: Mali will meet Ivory Coast in the semi-finals
The equalizer eventually came when Maiga headed a cross back across goal to Diabate, who turned smartly and fired a low shot that squirmed under Ovono to set up extra-time.
Gabon kept the pressure up, boosted by strong home support, but Mali looked dangerous on the counter and Maiga missed a good chance at the start of extra time.
Diabate had another chance for Mali but guided his close-range header wide after Keita's free kick found him unmarked in the middle.
They almost snatched the win in the final minute, but Keita shot over at full stretch from Diabate's knockdown to send the game to penalties.
Mali also reached the semi-finals in 2002 and 2004 and will play the favorites Ivory Coast this time around.
icon below an article to save to your favourite stories file