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Christantus Ejike opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, before Ifeanyi Ede scored the second — from the penalty spot — eight minutes later, sending the visitors into the half-time break with a comfortable lead.
Ejike put the result beyond doubt on 64 minutes to complete his brace and sent the host nation crashing out of the tournament at the first hurdle, despite Bernard Parker pulling one back in the 80th from a penalty.
Nigeria broke the deadlock through Ejike, who powered home a cross from Ifeanyi Ede, handing the Nigerians the vital lead midway through the opening half.
Things went from bad to worse for the home side on the half-hour mark, when Josephs’ handling error led to him bringing down Ejike in the area, leaving referee Mohamed Benouza no choice but to award a penalty.
Ede stepped up confidently and belted the penalty into the bottom right of goal, with Josephs getting a hand onto it, but failing to keep the shot out, as the Super Eagles extended their advantage in front of a stunned home crowd.
But like before, Nigeria soaked up the pressure and hit Bafana on the break, as Ejike emphatically netted his second of the night, leaving a dejected home side condemned to the worst.
With little to smile about for the home crowd, Solomon Kwambe’s dismissal for a second yellow card gave Bafana a glimmer of hope 15 minutes from the end.
Having reached boiling point, tempers flared and on 80 minutes, Bafana were awarded a penalty of their own, after Mashego was brought down in the area. Parker stepped up and scored his third successive spot kick to pull one back.
Agbim made a pair of decisive saves for the Nigerians as time ran out, denying Mashego and Tefu Mashamaite late goals and kept the Super Eagles’ two-goal cushion intact.
It was not to be for Bafana, as Mali claimed a 2-1 win against Mozambique in the other game of the group, allowing Mali to qualify as the winners group A with seven points, with Nigeria finishing second with six points.
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