Riding high on the support of their vociferous home fans, co-hosts Gabon have reached this far in the tournament and will challenge Mali for a semi-final place on Sunday.

It is only the second time that the Panthers have gone this far at the Africa Cup of Nations. They finished on top of a three-team group at the 1996 Afcon following the late withdrawal of Nigeria.

This time, however, the Gabonese have looked very impressive  and they have been tipped by a couple of analysts to pull a shock victory at the end of the competition.

Mali on the other hand have looked shaky at best when faced with big odds. After winning their first game against Guinea, they crumbled to Ghana before edging debutants Botswana to a 2-1 win.

All the same, it is a big improvement for the Malians who crashed out in the group stages at the 2010 Afcon. However, they are still far from eclipsing their best ever runners-up record, which they enjoyed in 1972.

Gabon and Mali are expected to serve up a delicious meal of football on Sunday in Libreville. The two sides are young and hungry for glory. While the Panthers have been more convincing during their three straight victories in the group phase, the pressure will be greater on Mali, as they have struggled to get this far.

However, it is the knockout stages and anything can happen. Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be back at his best considering his three goals so far while Mali veteran midfielder Seydou Keita, who got the winning goal against Botswana, will lead from the middle.

This is game of the day. Gabon will win the game though

Mali anthem

gabon anthem

I hope Mali wins. Gabon thinks they are Brazil to the point of copying their jerseys.

game on

lol both hosts will be out na

Abrantie:

I hope Mali wins. Gabon thinks they are Brazil to the point of copying their jerseys.

you are one funny guy , game don start jare

dem nefa score yet?

mukina2:

dem nefa score yet?

goal for where , gabon hit side bar once , interesting so far sha , who be those people in the V.I.P BOX

Mali needs wider and taller goal post for Gabon to score.

fredoooooo:

goal for where , gabon hit side bar once , interesting so far sha , who be those people in the V.I.P BOX

Gabon President,his family, his entire Cabinet and their family members

mukina2:

Gabon President,his family, his entire Cabinet and their family members

thnx , you are a darling

2nd half start

d match no sweet @ all

goalllllll

Gabon score 1-0

gabon hit pole again

nice!!!

fredoooooo:

thnx , you are a darling

mali equalise 1-1

diabete

will this one end in penalty?

Gabon should win this one.

hmmmmm this will be tough

full time 1 all , extra time

first 15 mins underway

Muki which one is diabete  

extra time

Maiga good shot but it went wide

fredoooooo:

Muki which one is diabete  

the one wey score for mali

freekick mali

corner mali