Bafana Bafana bowed out of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday night as Mali beat them 3-1 in a penalty shootout.
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After 120 minutes of football, the game ended 1-1 and was decided by the lottery of spot kicks.
South Africa striker Tokelo Rantie scored in the 31st minute while Mali's talisman Seydou Keita equalised in the 57th minute to send the game in to extra-time.
Bafana players ran their hearts out as midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane and forward Bernard Parker hit the turf due to exhaustion, Rantie was substituted because of a niggling injury but the hosts kept on pressing.
In the penalty shootout it seemed nerves got the better of Dean Furman and May Mahlangu, whose shots were stopped.
Kaizer Chiefs striker Lehlohonolo Majoro completely missed the target subsequently ending Bafana's run in the continental competition.
Chiefs winger Siphiwe Tshabalala was the only Bafana player to net from the penalty spot as Adama Tamboura, Cheick Diabate and Mahamane Traore netted for the Eagles, who will meet either Nigeria or Ivory Coast in the next round.
Gordon Igesund, although disappointed with the result, said that everyone should be proud of the team for showing their character.
"Yes like everyone around the country, I am hugely disappointed that we did not proceed to the last four," he said. "But I can tell you now I am very proud of my team tonight.
"They came here and matched one of the best teams on the continent and even took them to penalties.
"Just a pity with penalties it's the luck of the draw, tonight luck was on Mali's side they took their penalty kicks well. My players showed lot of guts, determination and most of all self-belief."
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