Going into this WAFCON tournament, few, if any, could have predicted that the Super Falcons would go into the final matchday of the tournament on the brink of elimination, in danger of not even making it out of the group stage.
But times have changed, and even African women's football royalty have a chink in their armour.
However, the Super Falcons have squeaked their way through to the knockout stage and will face Cameroon in the quarterfinal.
Where did the Super Falcons go wrong?
Nigeria's problems in the group stage started with a loss to Malawi. But it was not so much the result, as the nature of the defeat.
To be clear, Malawi deserve all the credit for their win. It is not easy for a debutant, squaring up against not just the defending champions, but the most dominant team in the tournament.
But the Super Falcons helped beat themselves. For most of that game, they looked anything but super. Besides the Chawinga sisters, there is hardly any other Malawi player who could walk into the Super Falcons team, as a substitute. But the Nigerians appeared to lack desire in that game.
They not only lacked spirit, they looked uncharacteristically shorn of a desire to win, until late in the game when Uchenna Kanu came on and they forced two goals. Justin Madugu's ill-advised decision to play a high line against two of the quickest, strongest and most cerebral forwards in African football did not help
Beyond tactics, personnel and strategy, however, the one thing that unraveled the Super Falcons in that defeat was their complete lack of desire. They lost duels, were second to the ball, hardly won tackles and even fewer second balls.
What went well?
What they lacked in that first game, became the strongest part of their game in the last two. Against Zambia, the Super Falcons appeared to have rediscovered themselves and who they were. They played with a determination not just to not lose, but with the intent of winning, come what may.
Even when they were reduced to 10 players after Tosin Demehin got herself sent off, the resilience they showed was proof of the championship DNA that has seen this team to 10 championships.
That aggression was again on display when they faced Egypt, despite the Cleopatras being the group's weakest team.
Getting that win against Zambia was vital to their chances of progress, and one of the most impressive parts of that was Madugu's decision-making, starting with player selection, and then substitutions. Starting Asisat Oshoala was a masterstroke. Her physicality, running and ability to get behind the defence made life tough for the Zambia centrebacks.
Dropping Christy Ucheibe to centreback after Demehin's dismissal was perhaps the single most consequential decision of that game, and perhaps the tournament. And his substitutions, from the first game to the last, were spot on.
Introducing Uchenna Kanu against Malawi, helped turn the tide and led to the two goals, which ultimately secured qualification.
Substituting Oshoala in the first half and bringing in Gift Monday also yielded instant returns, as the Washington Spirit striker scored within four minutes of coming on and helped create two more goals.
What needs to be fixed?
The first thing this Super Falcons team need to fix is their efficiency in front of goal. They had numerous opportunities to open the scoring against Malawi and fluffed them all. Against Zambia, they could have scored one before Asisat opened the scoring and added at least a second goal before Demehin's red card, but again, failed to take their chances.
And against Egypt, despite scoring six goals, they passed on a number of opportunities that could have made the score more lopsided.
There have been suggestions that half the six goals came from penalty kicks. What is wrong with that? They all count. Cameroon have always been a historically difficult opponent for the Super Falcons, even though they have won all their WAFCON encounters this year, but this will certainly not be the time to be squandering opportunities. Every chance must count.
Before they get there, there is the small matter of not avoiding the same pitfall that cost them against Malawi. Nigeria must show aggression from start to finish, contest every ball, stay strong in tackles and win their duels and second balls. In addition, defensive errors must be eliminated.
Who stood up to be counted?
It is hard not to look at that Malawi game and think the whole team deserve to be sent to Coventry. All but Uchenna Kanu. Her introduction completely changed the nature of the game. She offered continuous threat from wide and central, and it was she who won the penalty kick that got Nigeria started and toe-poked that all important second goal.
But that was not all, Kanu started the second game, and while not as effective as the first she was still one of the better players. And when she was subbed in again in that final game, she scored with her first touch. It is looking like a superb tournament so far for the former Racing Louisville forward.
Christy Ucheibe is another who impressed. The midfielder, slotted into defend after Demehin's sending off against Zambia and completely locked down Barbra Banda, one of the most impressive forwards in world football. Few players have been as impactful for Nigeria.
And then there is Rinsola Babajide. It took the forward just one game to show Nigerians and her coach what they have been missing. She constantly glided past opponents and found different ways to unlock defences in tight spaces.
Deborah Abiodun has also been outstanding. The Washington Spirit midfielder was only a late sub in the first game after travel issues meant she arrived late. But Abiodun shut down the midfield marauders in all three games she has featured in.
Who needs to step up?
Last tournament, Esther Okoronkwo was Nigeria's standout performer. So far, she has been fairly quiet, and it is not difficult to fathom why. The AFC Toronto star has been out with injury for a while and only just returned to action. She was subbed in for the second game and did not feature at all against Egypt.
Okoronkwo is much too talented to not make a decisive difference if called on to either start, or step in as an impact sub. The latter may be more likely. Whatever the case, if she plays like she did last tournament, Cameroon will be in trouble.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was either directly or indirectly to blame for Malawi's three goals. The last one was particularly egregious. But she recovered against Zambia and had little to do against Egypt. Nnadozie was a key reason why Nigeria won last time, and she will have to be that person again to get them past Cameroon and all the way to the final.