AFCON 2013: SA and Cape Verde go out

| Saturday May 4, 2013 00:00

Mali, seeking their first Nations Cup title, kept their hopes alive by beating South Africa 3-1 on penalties, after the match finished 1-1 at the end of extra time, while Ghana, aiming for a long-awaited fifth crown, beat Cape Verde 2-0.

South Africa, trying to repeat their 1996 success when they were crowned champions on home soil, were eliminated after losing in a shootout in Durban, while Cape Verde, described by their coach Luico Antunes as 'the best team in the competition', lost to two Mubarak Wakaso goals in Port Elizabeth.

Ghana will meet the winners of Sunday's clash between Togo and Burkina Faso on Wednesday's semifinal in Nelspruit while Mali will play either tournament favourites Ivory Coast or Nigeria in the last four in Durban on the same night.Saturday's results, while perhaps sad for the romantics, were justified as Mali recovered from a goal down to edge a match in which they looked the stronger side.

Ghana, although conceding lots of possession to Cape Verde especially in the second half, were sharper and more decisive when it mattered. (Supersport.com)