By Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport in Monastir, Tunisia

Yobo opened the scoring for Nigeria

Nigeria 4-0 South Africa

Nigeria cruised to an easy win over South Africa at the African Cup of Nations.

Everton's Joseph Yobo side-footed home the opener after an error by keeper Emile Baron.

Bolton's Jay-Jay Okocha then scored from the penalty spot for the 1,000th goal in the tournament's history.

Substitute Osaze Odemwingie made the points secure with two superb low-angled drives in the final 10 minutes of the match.

(The expulsions) were a tonic to the team. We have shown that we can progress without certain players Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu

Stung by criticism of their poor performance in the 1-0 defeat to Morocco, the Super Eagles, led by Okocha, dominated midfield possession in the opening quarter of the tie.

The incessant forays of the Nigerians paid early dividends in the fourth minute, when overlapping central defender Yobo hit home from close range.

Yobo connected with a corner taken by Ifeanyi Ekwueme, which flew over South Africa keeper Baron and the scrum of players that crowded the penalty area.

With the Super Eagles growing in confidence after Yobo's goal, Bafana Bafana struggled to stamp their presence on the game.

Nwankwo Kanu should have scored Nigeria's second in the 14th minute, when he broke free of the inept South African defence and had only the goalkeeper to beat.

Jay-Jay Okocha scored the 1,000th goal in Cup of Nations history

But the Arsenal striker's inability to strike the target at the earliest opportunity gave South African defenders the chance to slow him down, with his final effort flying past the post.

After shaking off their inertia, South Africa regained composure to launch a series of counter-attacks in the Nigerian half.

Siyabonga Nomvete had the best chance to level scores in the 26th minute, when he collected a pass from the right side of midfield and struck a shot which forced a save from Vincent Enyeama.

The Super Eagles took complete control of the game after the interval.

Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu earned a penalty in the 62nd minute, when Aaron Mokoena obstructed and handled the ball while on the ground following a good run from the Arsenal forward.

Okocha wasted little time in coverting the kick that became the tournament's 1,000th goal.

But it was substitute Odemwingie, who plays for Belgian first division club La Louviere, who stole the show.

The referee decided who should win and who should lose this game South Africa coach 'Styles' Phumo

Coming on for Kanu, Odemwingie had a burst of acceleration on the right side of midfield, outwitting Jacob Lekgetho before curling a 15-yard effort which went past Baron and into the right-hand side of the goal.

And with just a few minutes remaining, he latched onto a pass from John Utaka to add the icing on Nigeria's cake.

Nigeria need to win their last game against Benin in Sfax to have a chance of topping their group and avoiding a quarter-final tie against defending champions Cameroon.

Nigeria: 1-Vincent Enyeama; 2-Joseph Yobo, 5-Isaac Okoronkwo, 15-George Abbey; 11-Garba Lawal, 10-Austin Okocha, 14-Seyi Olofinjana, 7-John Utaka, 4-Nwankwo Kanu (20-Peter Odemwingie 67); 21-Ifeanyi Ekwueme, 17-Julius Aghahowa (13-Pius Ikedia 84)

South Africa: 16-Emile Baron; 2-Thabang Molefe, 3-Jacob Lekgetho, 4-Aaron Mokoena, 7-Mbulelo Mabizela; 13-Benson Mhlongo (8-Bennett Mnguni 46), 19-John Moshoeu (11-Jabu Pule 86), 18-Delron Buckley, 15-Sibusiso Zuma (10-Stanton Fredericks 74); 14-Siyabonga Nomvete, 21-Patrick Mayo