DURBAN—Hosts South Africa were knocked out of the African Nations Cup when they lost a penalty shootout 3-1 to Mali after their quarter-final ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time on Saturday. South Africa's fate was virtually sealed after penalties by Dean Furman and May Mahlangu were saved by Mali goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakite. With South Africa trailing 3-1 in the shootout Lehlohonolo Majoro blasted wide from the spot giving victory to Mali who will face Ivory Coast or Nigeria in the semi-finals. Cheick Diabate, Adama Tamboura and Mahamane Traore all scored for Mali after Siphiwe Tshabalala netted South Africa's first penalty. The hosts had taken a deserved lead after 31 minutes when the Mali defence failed to stop Mahlangu feeding Thuso Phala whose mis-hit shot landed at Tokelo Rantie's foot for him to fire in from close range. Mali equalised after 58 minutes when Samba Sow surged forward and found Mahamadou Samassa wide on the left. His perfect cross was met by the unmarked Seydou Keita whose header hit goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune but was powerful enough to carry over the line and into the back of the net. FANS SILENCED South Africa Coach Gordon Igesund may have been put under enormous pressure by the domestic media but the stress did not appear to affect his side in a first half which they largely dominated. Although Keita had the first chance for Mali and their fullback Tamboura went close with a cross-shot after a thundering run, South Africa looked the better team and their opening goal looked on its way for a while before it arrived. The noise at the Moses Madhiba Stadium was deafening with the virtually sold-out stadium full of home fans in replica shirts but they fell silent when Keita equalised after 58 minutes. Mali shaded the rest of normal time but neither team created many more opportunities and there was an air of inevitability about the game going into extra time. The additional half-hour was also devoid of goalmouth action leading to the shootout which Mali won to set up a semi-final against either Ivory Coast or Nigeria.
