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In Pictures: Route to the AFCON final

All the action from the business end of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mubarek Wakaso
QF1 – Super-sub Mubarak Wakaso hit two goals as four-times champions Ghana ended the fairytale run of minnows Cape Verde Islands with a 2-0 victory in Port Elizabeth [AFP]
Published On 10 Feb 2013
Nando
"Today, we all watched a beautiful game but, unfortunately, the best team is going home and the tournament will lose its shine," said Blue Sharks coach Luis Antunes [AFP]
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South Africa fans
QF2 – Hosts South Africa were unceremoniously dumped out on penalties 3-1 by a triumphant Mali after a tense match of few scoring chances ended 1-1 after extra time in Durban [Reuters]
Soumbeyla Diakite
Mali(***)s goalie Soumbeyla Diakite was the hero, saving penalties from Bafana Bafana(***)s Dean Furman and May Mahlangu [Reuters]
Nigeria football team
QF3 - Underdogs Nigeria shocked title favourites Ivory Coast 2-1 to book their semi-final against Mali. The Super Eagles are trying to win their first title since 1994 [AFP]
Didier Drogba
It was another disappointing elimination for Didier Drogba who may have wasted his last chance to win a trophy with Les Elephants [AFP]
Jonathan Pitroipa
QF4 – Burkina Faso reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1998 thanks to a header in extra time from Jonathan Pitroipa. They(***)ll now meet Ghana in Wednesday(***)s semi-final [AFP]
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Nigeria
SF1 - Nigeria made it through to their first AFCON final since 2000, with a dominating 4-1 thrashing of Mali. It was a commanding performance and anything but a competitive semi-final with the victors decided early on [Reuters]
Burkina Faso
SF2 - Burkina Faso were the surprise finalists of the competition after reaching their first final with a penalty shootout victory over Ghana. They sneaked past the Black Stars but can they now upset the Super Eagles? With this kind of team spirit, anything is possible [Reuters]
Mali
It ended with smiles for Mali who here celebrate with their third place medals after defeating Ghana 3-1. It was another upset that the competition(***)s underdogs produced [GETTY]
And the winner is ... Nigeria, who ended a 19-year title wait with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso at Soccer City. Sunday Mba knocked home the first half goal to give the Super Eagles victory [AFP]