The Egyptians saw off Nigeria 8-0 and have finished on top of the group thanks to three victories from three, meaning they will likely avoid hosts South Africa in the last four.

Three green cards issued to Nigerian players in the opening 15 minutes did not help their cause with Mahmoud Mamdouh striking four times for the north Africans in their victory.

Amr Ibrahim added two goals, with Mohamed Edris and Mohamed Essam also finding the target.

Egypt finish the group stage after scoring 34 goals in their three matches and only conceding once, with a final showdown with South Africa looking likely.

Those two countries have contested the final at the last four editions with South Africa, the winners of the last six tournaments, triumphing every time.

The hosts, who were not in action today, have scored 50 goals without reply so far and will almost certainly be crowned as Group A winners following their final group game with Namibia tomorrow.

That would mean a semi-final clash with the Kenyans, the Group B runners-up who recorded an equally easy 7-0 win over Tanzania.

Leon Magomere and Brian Saina scored twice each with Zakaria Msumba, George Mutria and Constant Wakhura also netting.

Egypt will face either Ghana or Zimbabwe, who meet tomorrow, in their semi-final with the overall winners booking the last place on offer at next summer’s Rio Olympics.

No games were played today in the women’s tournament, which is running alongside the men’s in Johannesburg.

Related stories
October 2015: Race for Rio 2016 intensifies at FIH Women's African Championships as three sides remain unbeaten
October 2015: Ghana cruise past Botswana to remain unbeaten at African Hockey Championships
October 2015:  Egypt crush Tanzania in African Hockey Championships opener
October 2015: Hosts run riot at African Hockey Championships with two crushing wins
October 2015: Hat-trick for Viviers as Zimbabwe begin Women's African Hockey Championships in style