By Durosimi Thomas BBC Sport Online in Ouagadougou

Coulibaly (right) got Mali's crucial third

South Africa 2-4 Mali
Gabon 1-2 B. Faso

Burkina Faso and Mali have both taken a major step in Group A towards reach the semi-finals of the Under-20 Nations Cup.

A first-half blitz helped the Eagles of Mali beat South Africa after first having to come from behind.

South Africa's Lazarus Motsoapong headed the Amajitas in the lead after just two minutes.

But the Malians scored twice in the space of a minute through captain Boubakarr Sidiki Kone and the Italy-based striker from Lecce, Drissa Diarra.

It was a big blow for the South Africans who suddenly found themselves 2-1 down with the match only 20 minutes old.

The Malians made matters worse for them at the stroke of half-time as Bakary Coulibaly was left unmarked to score his second of the tournament.

And Mali made sure they became the first side to clinch three points when Coulibaly made it 4-1 with six minutes to play to become the tournaments highest scorer.

Rashied Thorne of South Africa made the score line more respectable with a cracking shot inside the box.

Burkina comeback

The host nation Burkina Faso are also celebrating after fighting from a goal down to beat Gabon 2-1, thanks to a last minute goal by Saybou Diallo.

Gabon had taken the lead in the second minute through a volley by Georges Ambourouet and the hosts had to wait half an hour before Hamadou Ouedraogo leveled the scores.

Mali now top the group on goal difference, followed by Burkina Faso.

A draw when both sides meet each other in the final Group A matches will be enough to see them in the semi-finals.

Today in Bobodioulasso Ghana will play Egypt and Morocco will face Ivory Coast.

The last matches in Group B also ended in draws.