Okocha hits landmark as Nigeria and Morocco go on goal rampage

Nigeria skipper Jay Jay Okocha grabbed the 1,000th goal in the history of the African Nations Cup as the Super Eagles crushed South Africa 4-0 to put their quarter-finals push back on track.

Morocco, meanwhile, continued their quiet progress through the tournament with an identical Group D hiding of little Benin.

The win for Nigeria came as a huge relief after a difficult week in which the former double champions had lost 1-0 to Morocco in their opening match and then kicked out Celestine Babayaro, Victor Agali and Yakubu Aiyegbeni for breaking a curfew.

Joseph Yobo put Nigeria in front after only four minutes in Monastir from a corner before Okocha scored from a penalty to hit the 1,000 goal milestone as he doubled the Eagles' advantage on 64 minutes.

Second-half substitute Osaze Odemwingie then grabbed a brace in the 80th and 82nd minutes with two well-taken goals.

Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu cited new tactics as the reason for the comprehensive victory and also suggested that the expulsion of the three players had united his team.

"We changed the tactics because we needed to win our remaining matches in the first round," said Chukwu.

"And also the decision to send home the players who disregarded camp rules only bonded the whole team together."

According to Nwankwo Kanu, Okocha's landmark goal will be a lucky charm on their way to playing in the final on February 14.

"Okocha's historic goal will give us luck and we are now looking to the final," said the Arsenal forward.

"If we play to our full potential, we are capable of beating any team. The first game was not good but we were better today and we can keep this good form right up to the final."

However, South Africa coach Styles Phumo questioned the handling of the game by the United Arab Emirates' referee Ali Bujsaim saying that three of the goals were questionable while the referee refused to give Bafana Bafana a penalty in the second half.

"The referee decided who should win and who should lose this game. This is rather unfortunate for a major tournament like this," said Phumo.

South Africa are now third in the group with three points but face group leaders Morocco in their final match on Wednesday while Nigeria, also on three points, should ease past whipping-boys Benin.

In Sfax, Morocco scored three goals within eight minutes as they beat Benin 4-0 to virtually assure a quarter-finals place after two wins in two games.

Morocco can now afford a three-goal loss to South Africa and still qualify for the last eight on goal difference.

Marouane Chamakh put the North Africans ahead after 17 minutes and Youssef Mokhtari, Abdeslam Ouaddou and Talal al-Karkouri struck in a late second-half scoring blitz.