Nigeria started well and went in front in the 22nd minute through the impressive Ejike Uzoenyi who did well to carve out space for himself inside the box before steering a low Ifeanyi Ede cross first time, into the roof of the net.
The West Africans were 2-0 up inside the half hour after the South African goalkeeper, Moeneeb Josephs made a shocking howler before giving away a penalty after upending the onrushing Gbolahan "Balotelli" Salami who went crashing onto the turf.
Ede converted from 12 yards and Bafana Bafana were on the ropes.
South Africa looked to respond after the break but Bernard Parker was spectacularly denied by Nigeria's goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim in the 58th minute.
Agbim was again called to duty four minutes later and he responded with an even better one handed save to deny Katlego Mashego whose curling effort seemed destined for the top corner.
Those misses in quick succession came back to haunt Bafana Bafana as man-of-the-match, Uzoenyi played a one-two with Salami before firing an unstoppable left foot strike with the outside of his left foot past the despairing Josephs.
Nigeria almost went 4-0 up in the 71st minute through Uzoenyi whose rocket clattered against the cross bar with Josephs stranded as the Super Eagles relentlessly looked to put their opponents to the sword.
South Africa got their consolation in the 79th minute through a controversial penalty, converted by Parker.
Matlego and Tefu Mashamaite came close to scoring for the hosts late on but found Agbim in inspired form.
Both sides finished the game with 10 men as Solomon Kwambe and Vuyo Mere received expulsions for second bookings in the second half.
Nigeria finished in second place in Group A behind Mali who ended their preliminary campaign as top dogs following their dramatic 2-1 win over Mozambique in the other game of the day.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
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