With all the buzz surrounding the team's captaincy, the Super Eagles finally took to the field to face the Leopards of DR Congo in an international friendly on Thursday in Belgium - putting behind a torrid stint.
Goals from Dieumerci Mbokani and Jordan Nkolo inflicted a first defeat on coach Sunday Oliseh - indicating an end to his honeymoon as Nigeria coach.
Aside the defeat, three players were handed debuts in the game with several established stars returning to the starting lineup.
We take a look at the overall performance of the team taking into consideration the impact of the off-field row between the coach and former skipper Vincent Enyeama.
1. Oliseh not Pep Guardiola of Africa
For many expecting a drastic change in the Super Eagles playing pattern, system and method, would have to wait a little further as coach Sunday Oliseh has proven that he isn't a "magician" as implied.
Described as "the Pep Guardiola of African football" by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) boss Amaju Pinnick during his unveiling in July, the coach's tactics and methods has been nothing close to his Bayern Munich counterpart.
Against DR Congo, the team lacked cohesion, bite and was far away from playing the Tiki-Taka football the Spanish coach is known for.
Oliseh who has so far won, drawn and lost one game apiece out of three, craved for patience from expectant Nigerians as he builds a formidable team for the future.
"We are building a new team and patience is required. It is like starting from the scratch," he pleaded.
2. Mikel won't play second fiddle to Musa
Another microscopic incident that played out in the game against the DRC on Thursday was Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, refusing the captain role when Ahmed Musa was being substituted.
Mikel, currently the oldest member of the squad, was snubbed by Oliseh to skipper the team - preferring Musa instead.
And the 28-year-old midfielder who has been silent over the Enyeama saga, silently turned down the opportunity to become the deputy skipper of the team - suggesting his insubordination or disloyalty to Musa.
Lazio star Ogenyi Onazi however took over the role after Mikel's snub - one he could hold onto in time to go.
3. More work for the defence
All four of Nigeria back-line against DRC were either making their first appearance under the coach or playing together for the first time.
It was evident in the team's display as the defence looked porous, susceptible and disorganized without any true leadership.
Also, the fact that the keeper Carl Ikeme who has only been capped twice prior to this game was in goal, didn't make the situation any better.
In his three games in-charge of Nigeria, Oliseh has employed three different centre-back pairing same as fullbacks - a move which doesn't portray continuity on the path of the defence.
The team could probably do better with the return of Turkish-based duo, Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona who missed the game against DRC - having formed a dreadful partnership over the years.
4. Post-Enyeama era looking gloomy
Lille of France goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, decided to abruptly quit international football after an irreconcilable difference with coach Sunday Oliseh - which had him stripped of his captaincy.
Enyeama who has been part of the national team since 2002, took over permanently as captain of the team from Joseph Yobo after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Though in an acting capacity, his leadership and performances led Nigeria to winning an elusive third African Cup of Nations trophy in 2013 and also qualify for the 2014 World Cup - with Yobo only the ceremonial head.
Aftermath of the keepers retirement, his former colleagues struggled and lost - a bad sign of things to come.
Experience they say is the teacher of all things - the team lacked any true leadership, motivation and direction - a far cry from the Enyeama era.
5. Where are the goals?
In Oliseh's three games in-charge, the team has managed just two goals with both coming against minnows, Niger Republic in Port Hacourt - one out of the two was even from the spot.
It explains the poor goal-scoring return of the current crop who struggles to transform dominance into goals in matches.
In addition, both goals scored against the Menas in September were by wingers, Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon - with the strikers yet to click.
Just like in previous games, against the Leopards, Odion Ighalo who led the attack for Nigeria looked isolated for most of the game and had to drop deep on a couple of occasions so as to become more involved in the game.
The coach has already tried Weder Bremen's Anthony Ujah, Emmanuel Emenike and now Ighalo but none of the trio has managed a goal in the games they have featured.
Probably the midfield isn't doing enough or the wingers aren't delivering pin point crosses, the bottom-line is Oliseh has got to make his team to start scoring sooner rather than later.
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