MALI eliminated African Nations Cup co-hosts Gabon 5-4 penalties in their quarter-final yesterday after the two sides had played out a 1-1 draw.

Seydou Keita scored the decisive kick after Gabon’s talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had his effort saved, the only player to fail in the nail-biting shootout. Mali now meet the highly-fancied Ivory Coast. Ghana progressed after beating Tuinsia 2-1 at the end of extra-time. On Saturday, Zambia surged through in a potentially tricky encounter against Sudan to reach the last four for the first time in 16 years. Equatorial Guinea, the other co-host, lost 3-0 to Ivory Coast on Saturday.