By Durosimi Thomas BBC Sport, Alexandria

Francileudo dos Santos scored Tunisia's opener against South Africa

Francileudo dos Santos got the first goal, capitalising on a Benni McCarthy mistake and his shot then squirmed through keeper Calvin Marlin's hands.

Slim Benachour sealed the win when he fired high into the net from 15 yards after a pull-back from Hatem Trabelsi.

This Group C result also means South Africa cannot reach the last eight.

The Carthage Eagles had the ball in the net as early as the ninth minute, but Dos Santos was ruled offside by the referee.

The early part of the game was an evenly matched contest with the South Africans missing chances to score.

One of the best fell to Benni McCarthy, who was desperately unlucky in the 26th minute when his shot from just inside the area cannoned off the post with Ali Boumnijel well-beaten.

Even in the second half, things might have been different had Siyabonga Nomvete's shot not been well-saved by the 39-year-old Boumnijel moments before Benachour scored Tunisia's second goal.

Shortly before he found the back of the net, Benachour was furious that he was denied a penalty after tumbling in the South African area.

Dos Santos' 32nd-minute goal makes him equal top scorer at the Nations Cup, boasting four goals along with Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o.

Tunisia's final game against Guinea on 30 January will decide who wins Group C, while South Africa face Zambia to determine who finishes last in the group.