The Super Eagles are the first to progess to the second phase

Nigeria were the first country to progress to the final phase of the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after beating Equatorial Guinea 2-0 on Saturday.

The Super Eagles made sure of top place in Group Four in Abuja thanks to goals from Yakubu Aiyegbeni and substitute Ike Uche.

The win means Nigeria have unassailable 12 points from four matches while their rivals South Africa and Sierra Leone have four points each with two games remaining.

England-based striker Yakubu gave the Super Eagles the lead just before the break after being set-up by Peter Odemwingie.

Uche, who came on for Yabuku, doubled the home side's lead after a solo effort in the 84th minute.

Meanwhile, World Cup hosts South Africa face the embarrassing prospect of missing out playing in the next African Cup of Nations after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sierra Leone on Saturday.

Bafana Bafana were left with just one win from four Group Four matches at the start of the qualifying process after failing to break down a stout defence.

Sierra Leone goalkeeper Christian Caulker proved the hero with a series of saves but South Africa's strikers also squandered a host of chances with wayward shooting.

The World Cup qualifiers are also being used to determine the Nations Cup finals field, which is the reason 2010 hosts South Africa are participating.

But they now need to win both their remaining group matches at home to Nigeria in September and Equatorial Guinea away in October to stand any chance of progress.

The eight best placed runners-up also go through to the second phase.

The Nations Cup comes six months before the World Cup finals and provides African sides with an useful opportunity for competitive preparation.