Nigeria's Flying Eagles were on Wednesday defeated 4-3 on penalties by the Malian U-20 counterpart in the first semifinals of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade General Seyni Koutche.

The game had ended 1-1 at regulation time and required the spot kicks to determine the winners but midfielder Aniekeme Okon's penalty miss proved damaging.

Mamadou Traore broke the deadlock in the 78th minute but Nigeria's substitute Paschal Durugbor restored parity in the 85th minute which sent the game into extra-time and eventually penalties.

Ikwuowem Udoh, Jamil Mohammed and Maxwell Effiom converted their spot kicks but the duo of Okon and Valentine Ozorwofor missed from 12 yards.

Nigeria will now face the loser of the second semifinals clash between Senegal and South Africa which was delayed.

The defeat by Paul Aigbogun's team means there will be a new winner of the tournament with the Eagles having won it a record seven times.