Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana will play Mali in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after the conclusion of Group B on Monday evening.
The Eagles drew their final pool match against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban with striker Mahamadou Samassa’s 14th-minute strike cancelling out a third-minute Dieumerci Mbokani penalty as the sides drew 1-1.
It meant that the Malians ended second in their section and will now play the hosts at the same venue on Saturday evening with kick-off at 20h30.
South Africa, who last reached the Afcon knockout stages at the 2002 tournament in Mali, ended as Group A winners on Sunday when they clinched a 2-2 draw against Morocco.
Debutants Cape Verde finished second in the group after a 2-1 win over Angola, also on Sunday, and will play Group B winners Ghana, 3-0 winners over Niger to secure top-spot, in Port Elizabeth in the next round.
The DRC and Niger joined the Moroccans and Angolans as the next teams to be eliminated from the competition. - Sapa