Morocco beat Benin 4-0 on Saturday to move into prime position to reach the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia from Group D, while Nigeria bounced back with a 4-0 victory over South Africa and is now also favored to advance.

　　In this exciting group, even newcomer Benin still has a mathematical chance to advance despite two losses.

　　On a day when the Super Eagles spread their wings again, Osaze Odemwingie scored twice to end a crisis within a Nigerian team which sent three players packing on the eve of the match for indiscipline. The stars from the European leagues again played with commitment and intensity.

　　"We have to hold on to this attitude," said Odemwingie, who came off the bench to score his double and make one thing perfectly clear:

　　"We're back," he said.

　　Like Morocco, Nigeria ran up its goal difference with a flurry of strikes, a factor which could be decisive on the final Group D day on Wednesday.

　　The results left Morocco leading the group, long considered the toughest of the four, with six points ahead of Nigeria and South Africa with three, while Benin has none.

　　On Wednesday, Morocco plays South Africa and qualifies as long as it doesn't lose by four goals or more. Nigeria meets Benin on the final day.

　　Benin would have to count on a huge win over Nigeria and a big loss by South Africa to achieve the unlikeliest of qualifications.

　　After points, the standings are decided on goal difference and Morocco ran up its tally to 5-0 while Nigeria now stands at 4-1. South Africa is in the worst position with 2-4.

　　"Its not over yet, we have one game to go," said South African coach April Phumo.

　　The Atlas Lions already proved their defense was one of the best in the tournament during their 1-0 opening upset of Nigeria. On Saturday, Morocco proved its strike force is not far behind.

　　Benin's goalie Rachad Chitou provided a helping hand on several goals, but Morocco looked sharp throughout the game in the southern city of Sfax.

　　Morocco dominated the match from start to finish against a badly overpowered Benin.

　　Teenage striker Marouane Chamakh scored his first goal for his country early when Chitou inadvertently left his line.

　　In the last 20 minutes, Abdeslam Ouaddou, Talal El Karkouri, and an own goal from Anicet Adjamossi, further lay bare the Benin goalie's lack of international experience.

　　In Monastir, Nigeria immediately put its problems behind by getting a goal in the fourth minute. South African goalkeeper Emille Baron fumbled a ball on a corner and Joseph Yobo only had to tap the ball into the beckoning net.

　　Captain Jay-Jay Okocha converted a controversial 63rd minute penalty on a disputed handball. The goal was the 1,000th in the African Cup, which dates back to 1957.

　　With 10 minutes to go, substitute Odemwingie scored a beauty, cutting himself free in the penalty area and striking a left-footed drive high into the net.

　　Two minutes later, the striker from Belgium's La Louviere scored his second from close range after a goalmouth scramble.