ANC favourites Senegal lose on penalties to Cameroon in quarterfinal

Cameroon knocked favourites Senegal out of the African Nations Cup with a penalty shootout victory to book their place in the semifinals.

After a goalless 120 minutes at the Stade de Franceville, Sadio Mane proved the fall guy and Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph Ondoa the hero as he saved the Liverpool winger's spot-kick.

In scenes reminiscent of Cameroon's 2002 final victory in this tournament over the same opponents, Vincent Aboubakar then made no mistake with his penalty to seal the deal 5-4.

Four-time champions Senegal made the running from the outset but exited with nothing to show, while Cameroon go on to face either Congo or Ghana next.

Before the half-hour mark, Mane put Mame Diouf through -- but the Stoke striker was closed down by the busy Ondoa and put the ball over the crossbar.

Abdoulaye Diallo was seeing precious little action in the Senegal goal but had to be alert at his near post when Benjamin Moukandjo had a breakaway half-chance from close range in the 36th minute.

Ondoa reacted well early in the second half to keep out Mane's header and did enough to stop Keita Balde Diao's follow-up challenge almost on the goalline.

Cameroon very nearly took a surprise lead in the 66th minute when the ball broke to Moukandjo in the penalty area before Diallo dived low to his right to stop his effort across goal.

Mane and substitute Moussa Sow both had good opportunities as Senegal pressed for a late winner, but -- when needed -- Ondoa proved too good.

In extra-time it was again Diallo who kept the scores level, moving smartly to stop substitute Jacques Zoua scoring from six yards after combining well with Aboubakar.

In the end, though, Senegal were thwarted.