|
|
Played
February 5, 2012 11:00 AM EST
Stade d'Angondjé — Libreville
Referee: D. Haïmoudi
February 5, 2012 11:00 AM EST
Stade d'Angondjé — Libreville
Referee: D. Haïmoudi
55′
Eric Mouloungui
Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Seydou Keita
Mali
Mali
Flop of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Daniel Cousin
Gabon
Gabon
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Gabon 1-1 Mali (AET, Mali wins 5-4 on penalties): Co-host crashes out after agonizing shootout as Eagles set up last four clash with Cote d'Ivoire
A late Cheick Diabate goal gave Mali hope after Eric Mouloungui had opened the scoring, but penalties favored the west Africans as they qualified for the semifinal.
By Kent Mensah
Panoramic
Mali qualified for the semifinal of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations by defeating co-host Gabon 4-5 on penalties when the sides were locked 1-1 after 120 minutes in Libreville on Sunday.
Eric Mouloungui struck for the Gabonese before Cheick Diabate leveled to send the match to spot kicks, but it was the Panthers who dominated most parts of the game with chances going to waste.
Gabon cult hero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's attempt was saved by goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakite during the shootout, giving the Eagles an advantage. Barcelona player Seidou Keita was the hero of the night at the Stade d'Angondje with his final kick which gave the 1972 runner-up a ticket to the semifinal.
It was a miserable night for the co-host as the team looked forward to booking its first ever semifinal after having gone at length to score, but the club could not find the breakthrough until the first half elapsed. The first real attempt on goal came when Aubameyang beat an offside trap and lobbed the ball past Diakite, but hit the woodwork instead of the intended target.
It was a half devoid of genuine scoring opportunities with the few that were created coming the way of Gabon. However, both teams had a goal each in the second half to move the game into extra time.
Midfielder Eric Mouloungui put Gabon in the lead in the second half when Aubameyang pulled the ball back from the byline from a free kick, finding the left foot of Mouloungui whose tap in beat shot-stopper Diakite.
The Gabonese kept pressing in all departments to protect their lead before an anxious partisan crowd, but that did not last long as Diabate put Mali back on level terms with six minutes left in the encounter.
Modibo Maiga set Diabate up and the player controlled the ball well, turned and struck a shot past goalkeeper Didier Ovono. The Eagles suffered a great deal of pressure from a spirited Panthers side, but the leveler neutralized the pressure and forcing the game into extra time – the first of the 28th edition of the Nations Cup.
The scoreline remained the same throughout extra time, sending the game to a penalty shootout. The spot kicks ended 4-5 in Mali’s favor after Aubameyang had his attempt saved and Keita scored the winning penalty.
The Eagles will now face the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the semifinal on Wednesday.
Eric Mouloungui struck for the Gabonese before Cheick Diabate leveled to send the match to spot kicks, but it was the Panthers who dominated most parts of the game with chances going to waste.
Gabon cult hero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's attempt was saved by goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakite during the shootout, giving the Eagles an advantage. Barcelona player Seidou Keita was the hero of the night at the Stade d'Angondje with his final kick which gave the 1972 runner-up a ticket to the semifinal.
It was a miserable night for the co-host as the team looked forward to booking its first ever semifinal after having gone at length to score, but the club could not find the breakthrough until the first half elapsed. The first real attempt on goal came when Aubameyang beat an offside trap and lobbed the ball past Diakite, but hit the woodwork instead of the intended target.
It was a half devoid of genuine scoring opportunities with the few that were created coming the way of Gabon. However, both teams had a goal each in the second half to move the game into extra time.
Midfielder Eric Mouloungui put Gabon in the lead in the second half when Aubameyang pulled the ball back from the byline from a free kick, finding the left foot of Mouloungui whose tap in beat shot-stopper Diakite.
The Gabonese kept pressing in all departments to protect their lead before an anxious partisan crowd, but that did not last long as Diabate put Mali back on level terms with six minutes left in the encounter.
Modibo Maiga set Diabate up and the player controlled the ball well, turned and struck a shot past goalkeeper Didier Ovono. The Eagles suffered a great deal of pressure from a spirited Panthers side, but the leveler neutralized the pressure and forcing the game into extra time – the first of the 28th edition of the Nations Cup.
The scoreline remained the same throughout extra time, sending the game to a penalty shootout. The spot kicks ended 4-5 in Mali’s favor after Aubameyang had his attempt saved and Keita scored the winning penalty.
The Eagles will now face the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the semifinal on Wednesday.
Follow Goal.com on 
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Prince Oniangue
Midfielder Congo |
2 | 1 |
|
T. Mputu
Striker RD Congo |
2 | 0 |
|
Atusaye Nyondo
Striker Malawi |
2 | 0 |
|
A. Kaluyituka
Striker RD Congo |
2 | 0 |
|
Léger Djimrangar
Defender Chad |
2 | 0 |