By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Paul Ellis.
Mali progressed to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Tunisia after their last-16 tie had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
El Bilal Toure scored the winning spot-kick as a 10-man Mali beat Tunisia to reach the last eight.
After a match containing little action until late on, the shootout was full of drama as Mali captain Yves Bissouma fired over and team-mate Nene Dorgeles hit the post with his effort.
The West Africans were a man down for more than 90 minutes after Woyo Coulibaly was shown a straight red card for catching Hannibal Mejbri on the Achilles with his studs.
Tunisia went ahead with two minutes of regulation time remaining when Firas Chaouat’s header crept inside the right-hand upright, but Mali were awarded a stoppage-time penalty after Yassine Meriah was penalised for handball.
Lassine Sinayoko’s low spot-kick had just enough on it to get past Carthage Eagles goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, who got his hand to the ball, and send the game to extra time.
Mali will travel north to Tangier to face 2021 champions Senegal, who beat Sudan earlier in the day the last eight on Friday.