MALI ended Gabon's dream of their first ever semi-final place in an Africa Cup of Nations by beating them 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, as Seydou Kieta netted the winner with Pierre Aubameyang missing his spot-kick.The two teams kicked-off to a musical audience as neither side made any threatening attack, but it was Mali who maintained a good bought of possession.The Malians had a set piece awarded to them 15 minutes in, but Bakaye Traore saw his effort go high of goal, while Daniel Cousin was unable to reach the high cross by Eric Mouloungui.The Panthers were given a free kick courtesy of Drissa Diakite, but Mouloungui's worked set piece with Pierre Aubamenyang hit the wall of Mali.Just before the half hour, Gabon were near to celebration as they thought they were about to score when Aubameyang jumped the offside trap and sliced the ball around the onrushing 'keeper, but it hit the upright.The co-hosts came close again when Cousin made a fantastic run up the flank to cross the ball to an emerging Aubamenyang ,but it was too long as the Milan youth product only sliced it out for a goal-kick.In the final minutes of the half, both teams managed an attack but both 'keepers stood their ground and didn't concede.Five minutes into the second half, Mali had a free-kick but the Barcelona man Keita made a mess of his effort as Gabon pounced on the loose ball to make a run up the field, but a last man clearance on Aubameyang saw the attack ended.But five minutes later Gabon broke the deadlock through Mouloungui, as he hit home an Aubameyang pull back: a deserved 1-0 to Gernot Rohr's men.Cousin saw his effort strike the woodwork, while Mali opted for a tactical change upfront as Mustapha Yatabare came on for Abdou Traore.Modibo Maiga did well to steal the ball off a Panther's defender to take a shot at goal but Didier Ovono was equal to it with his save.The home side won a series of corners but they could make nothing of it as Mali broke free on the counter-attack. Chieke Diabate did well to make the run up the field, to cut into the centre and fire a shot at goal, only for Ovono to fumble it as the ball rolled into the net.With the scores level at one apiece, the match headed into 30 minutes extra time.Following the second restart, Gabon swung in a corner but play was stopped for an alleged foul on a Malian. However, after a series of corners and free-kicks for either side, the first half of extra time was brought to a close.As the second half commenced the home fans broke out in full voice as they hoped to provide and extra bit of life for their side, while Diakite sent a dangerous free kick into the box but Ovono did well to jump up and pluck it out of the air.As the final whistle approached, both teams looked content to settle for a draw as they struggled with their heavy and tired legs.As most penalty shootouts go, the scores can never be predicted. Mali triumphed 5-4 as Aubameyang missed for Gabon while Kieta netted the winning penalty.
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