Mali qualified for the final of the 2020 Africa Nations Championship after defeating fellow West Africans Guinea on post-match penalties at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Wednesday.
Mali prevailed 5-4 on penalties after the game ended goalless after both normal and extra time.
Guinea was, however, unlucky not to have finished off the game within 90 minutes after they had a goal by Yakhouba Barry disallowed by VAR in the first half.
In the shootout, both sides successfully converted their first four penalties but then Morlaye Sylla, Guinea’s hero in the quarterfinal against Rwanda, missed his spot-kick and Mali’s Mamadou Coulibaly kept his cool to score the winning penalty.
Mali now has an opportunity to win its maiden title having lost its previous final appearance in 2016.
Mali will face either hosts Cameroon or defending champions Morocco in the final at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in the capital Yaoundé on Sunday while Guinea will play the loser of the tie in the third-place playoff at the Stade de la Réunification on Saturday.