Nigeria scored twice in the first-half to beat South Africa 2-0 in Abuja on Sunday in Group 4 of the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Spain-based striker Ikechukwu Uche headed home a cross from John Utaka in the 10th minute.
Defender Obinna Nwaneri doubled the lead right before half-time with another header from a cross from Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Everton's Victor Anichebe came on after 60 minutes to earn his first senior cap for the Super Eagles in a competitive game, as he replaced his club team-mate Yakubu Ayegbeni.
There was also a milestone for the Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena as he won a record 75th cap for South Africa.
The Blackburn Rovers defender, who made his international debut eight years ago at the age of 18, overtook former Charlton Athletic striker Shaun Bartlett.
As hosts of the 2010 World Cup South Africa qualify for the tournament automatically but still need to go through qualifying to reach the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in the same year.
In Sunday's other Group 4 game Equatorial Guinea beat visiting Sierra Leone 2-0 in Malabo.
Both goals came in early in the seconf-half with Roman Carolino finding the target just three minutes after the interval and Juan Epitie grabbed the second in seven minutes later from the penalty spot.
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