It was only a few months ago Nigerian football was enveloped in crisis with the elimination from the running for the African Nations Cup.
But fortune turns quickly in football and after Africa's opening weekend of the group phase of qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup finals, it is the Super Eagles who look the most promising candidates for Russia.
The exciting pairing of Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi holds much promise at a difficult time for Nigerian football administration.
Sunday's 2-1 win over Zambia in Ndola came against a backdrop of the Football Federation needing emergency funding at the last minute to ensure travel to Zambia in the kind of sloppy manoeuvrings that smacks of poor planning.
But this will not be the first generation of Nigerian players to overcome the foibles of their officials. Winning away in the opening game of such a tough group is a strong signal of intent.
Algeria had been the marginal favourites in Group B but they were held at home by Cameroon. Such is the surplus of talent in the Algerian setup that both Yacine Brahimi and Sofiane Feghouli started on the bench in Blida on Sunday night but in the end, all that stardust did not dazzle Cameroon, who are very much a team in transition, and the Indomitable Lions left with a point.
Cameroon's latest generation is, so far, a far cry from the powerful teams of the era of Samuel Eto'o and Rigobert Song, yet the country always seemingly conjures up a magical, unexplained quality in the World Cup. It is no surprise they have been to more World Cups than any other African nation and you who would not bet against them progressing again.
Egypt also won away at the weekend on what is always a tricky trip to Congo. Mohamed Salah was profligate in front of goal but also scored and Egypt now have a distinct advantage in Group E over Ghana, who are the team they have to get the better of in order to qualify.
Ghana's home draw on Friday against gutsy Uganda came on a pitch way below the standard requirement for international football and to the detriment of the ball skills of the Black Stars' players. The Ghana Football Association need to be questioned about the decision to take the game to Tamale as it gave their own side no visible advantage.
Dede Ayew's value to Ghana was also made much clearer by his absence. The creativity he brings to the team was clearly lacking. Ghana meet Egypt away next month and if they lose, they will be five points off the pace and forced to play catch-up in their bid to qualify for a fourth successive World Cup.
In Group A, the Democratic Republic of Congo notched up the biggest win of the weekend by beating Libya 4-0 in Kinshasa on Saturday -- a result that caused the sacking of coach Javier Clemente.
Tunisia won at home over Guinea on Sunday and it is the two weekend victors who are expected to go on and tussle for top place. Only the group winners advance to Russia, so the showdown between DR Congo and Tunisia next August and September will likely be the key to qualification.
In Group C, Ivory Coast came from behind to beat neighbours Mali 3-1 in Bouake on Saturday with two excellent finishes from Jonathan Kodjia and Gervinho, with an unfortunate own goal sandwiched in between.
Morocco's away draw in Gabon on Saturday is probably not the start they had hoped for but still a vital point.
In Group D, Senegal are top after beating the Cape Verde Islands 2-0 at home on Saturday but it was not a convincing performance. In the end, their superior firepower saw them home but for long periods of play the islanders took the game to their hosts.
Burkina Faso squandered two penalties and then had to scramble a late equaliser to avoid a home defeat by South Africa, whose coach Ephraim Mashaba was heading for the exit if he did not return home with something.
The one point in his pocket from Saturday's game in Ouagadougou is likely to keep the pressure off for now.
credit: espnfc