Africa Nations Cup:Mali 2, South Africa 0: The host nation qualified for the semi-finals in Kayes yesterday as a 2-0 victory over South Africa sparked scenes of jubilation across the country - and a mass pitch invasion on the final whistle in which Bassala Toure, the scorer of Mali's first goal, was injured having been submerged beneath a sea of celebrating fans.
It was Toure's thunderous shot, placed wide of Hans Vonk's outstretched arm after the Mali striker jinked into the box, that ignited what had been a ponderous match just after the hour.
South Africa had scored in just one of their group games, and their performance in this match indicated that they will travel to this summer's World Cup more in trepidation than hope. Their efforts were focused on silencing the partisan 15,000 crowd, though they occasionally came close to scoring.
Not until Toure had forced them to push forward, however, did South Africa seriously threaten. Their substitute, Delron Buckley came closest, volleying a loose ball goalwards from a poorly defended corner, only for Boubacar Diarra to clear off the line.
Toure once again proved South Africa's undoing in injury time, passing low into the area for Dramine Coulibaly to tap home. Coulibaly ripped off his shirt, laid it neatly on the pitch and danced around it with his team-mates. Within seconds they had been joined by several thousand uninvited partners.
Mali have qualified for the tournament on only three occasions, but have got to the semi-final every time. On this occasion they will face the winner of today's match between Cameroon, the favourites, and Egypt, in the capital, Bamako, on Thursday.
Mali created the better chances but there were no clear-cut chances in a game where both defences gave little away.
Captain Soumailia Coulibaly's square cross after eight minutes presented a half chance for Mali striker Mamadou Bagayoko but he reacted too slowly to take advantage.
The hosts had a scare four minutes later when Benni McCarthy intercepted a shallow back pass by Fousseini Diawara, but Mali goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe quickly reclaimed the loose ball.
South Africa join Tunisia on the list of World Cup finalists eliminated from the tournament.
MALI: M Sidibe; A Coulibaly, F Diawara, B Diarra, A Diakite, S Keita, B Toure, S Coulibaly, M Diarra, D Sidibe, M Bagayoko.
SOUTH AFRICA: H Vonk, M Mabizela, B Carnell, P Issa, A Mokoena, E Tinkler, T Mngomeni, Q Fortune, S Nomvete, S Zuma, B McCarthy.
Referee: A Ibanez (Spain).
