AFCON semis: Mali, Cape Verde out, Cote d’Ivoire, S/Africa in

AFCON semis: Mali, Cape Verde out, Cote d’Ivoire, S/Africa in

Host nation of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire, and South Africa have qualified for the semi-final stage of the tournament.

Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday came from one goal down to beat Mali 2-1.

The hosts were also one man down from the first half of their quarter-final game.

Dourgeles scored Mali’s first goal in the 71st minute before Adingra levelled up in the 90th minute to push the game into extra time.

Oumar Diakite’s goal in the 120+1 minute gave the Cote d’Ivoire the victory.

For the semis, Cote d’Ivoire will battle DR Congo who defeated Guinea 3-1 on Friday.

In the second match, Captain Ronwen Williams saved four penalties to help South Africa reach the semifinals of the tournament following a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.

South Africa will be expected to avenge their defeat by Nigeria on their last appearance in the AFCON semifinals, when they were beaten 2-0 by the Super Eagles in 2000.