South Africa mauls Mali to finsh on top
Defending Women's Africa Cup of Nations champion South Africa put Mali to the sword in their final Group C match, winning 4-0 at Honneur Stadium in Ouijda.
Bayana Bayana went ahead early when Lebohang Ramalepe produced a precise finish to open the scoring in the fifth minute.
Their second came somewhat controversially from a free-kick.
Refiloe Jane's first attempt from outside the box was easily collected by Mali goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao, but the referee asked for it to be retaken and Jane's second attempt was hit with more power, evading Karentao's despairing dive as she collided with the post in a vain attempt to keep it out.
Karentao didn't return for the second half as a result of the collision with the post, and replacement Alima Cisse was unable to improve things between the sticks as Bayana Bayana took full control of the match just after the hour with a third goal, this time from Hildah Magaia.
Ronnel Tammlyn Donnelly finished off the scoring with a little more than 10 minutes to play, firing home her first goal in South Africa colours to the delight of her team-mates, who mobbed the 21-year-old in celebration.
South Africa will play Senegal in the quarter-finals on Sunday (AEST).
Despite the heavy defeat, Mali is through as a best third-placed team and faces host Morocco on Saturday (AEST) in the last-eight.
