Okocha played a role in Nigeria's third goal

Goals from Julius Aghahowa, Joseph Enakahire and Yakubu Ayegbeni put the Super Eagles at the top of Group Four.

The Super Eagles took control of the game from the early stages of the encounter, when Aghahowa scored the opening goal in the third minute.

Zimbabwe captain Peter Ndlovu ceded possession to an opponent, whose long pass found Aghahowa, who ran into the box and hit a low drive that went past the goalkeeper.

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Joseph Enakahire increased the tally for the Super Eagles in the 23rd minute, heading home a corner which Zimbabwe's defenders had desperately tried to clear.

The exquisite skills of Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha, who was cheered by the appreciative Harare crowd, sealed their victory in the 49th minute.

Brought down by Tinashe Nengomasha, who was unable to cope with the midfielder's trickery in the box, earned the Nigerians a penalty that was subsequently converted by Yakubu Ayegbeni.

Nigeria play their next World Cup qualifier against Gabon in Libreville on 9 October, while Zimbabwe meet Angola the following day.

The Angolans assumed second spot in Group Three when they defeated Rwanda 1-0 in Luanda on Sunday.

Attacking midfielder Freddy scored the all-important goal after 51 minutes when he headed home a cross from Flavio.

The Palancas Negras trail group leaders Nigeria by just one point, with the Super Eagles having picked up nine points in their opening four games.

However, Rwanda's hopes of appearing in the World Cup seem doomed with the Wasps having lost three of their four qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Algeria's hopes of another World Cup appearance have been effectively dashed with a 3-0 loss to Gabon in Annaba.