Cameroon beat DR Congo 2-1 and Mali defeated Congo 5-4 on penalties to book their places in the last four of the 2020 African Nations Championship after both looked to be heading out of the tournament.
Yannick Ndjeng and Felix Oukine Tcheoud scored as Cameroon came from behind to defeat DR Congo 2-1 in Douala and seal their progress to the semi-finals.
DR Congo took the lead in the 22nd minute through Makabi Lilepo’s header but Ndjeng netted an equalizer seven minutes later before Tcheoud scored his team’s second in the dying minutes of the first stanza.
Cameroon were forced into desperate defending early on when Pierre Matanda brilliantly cleared off the line from Henock Baka, whose strike was parried back into his path by goalkeeper Haschou Kerriddo.
DR Congo profligacy came back to haunt them as Ibenge’s men took the lead in sensational style just eight minutes before the half-hour mark
The goal galvanized the Indomitable Lions and they scored an equalizer before taking the lead, all in the first stanza.
The result means Cameroon will face either Morocco or Zambia in Wednesday’s semi-final at the Limbe Stadium.
Meanwhile, a 5-4 penalty shootout also on Saturday secured Mali’s progression against another tournament favourites Congo.
The match in Yaounde went to extra time after regular time ended in a 0-0 draw, during which both teams failed to score in any of the four tournament matches.
Mali had numerous chances to win the game, but the ball would not go in and they had to settle for the lottery of the shootout.
Congo missed the first spot-kick as Prince Mouandzu Mapata placed the first penalty out, while all the Mali players converted.
Issaka Samake, Moussa Kyabou, Makan Samabali, Mamadou Doumba and Mamadou Coulibaly all converted penalties for The Eagles of Mali.
Congo, who also reached the quarter-final stage in the 2018 CHAN tournament, netted their penalties through Julfin Ondongo, Hardy Binguila, Yann Mokombo and goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila.
The result means Mali will meet either Guinea or Rwanda in Wednesday’s semi-final at the Japoma Stadium.
