South Africa kicked off the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers with an easy 2-0 home victory over Niger on Saturday. Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mphela gave South Africa the lead after 11 minutes. A thunderbolt by Twente forward Bernard Parker in the first-half's additional time sealed the win for the hosts. South Africa, who became the first World Cup hosts to be eliminated from the first round following their disappointing results in June, top Group G of the qualifiers with three points. Seven-time African champions Egypt host Sierra Leone at Cairo Stadium in the other group game on Sunday. The groups' winners and the best three second-placed teams will qualify for the Nations Cup, which will be held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.