Fans’favourite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to score from spot with Seydou Keita firing the Malians into the last four after converting the decisive kick.
The Frenchman said his team were unlucky after Cheikh Diabate drew level six minutes from time after Eric Mouloungui had fired them into the lead.
“When I saw Diabate coming on, I warned my players because he is a dangerous player. He was one my players at Ajaccio.
“We were unlucky. My team is a young team and most of them don’t have the character for such big games. We have many regrets.”
The Panthers joined fellows Equatorial Guinea out of the competition after the Ivorians humbled the latter 3-0 in Malabo 24-hours earlier.