The absence of a baying, demanding home support lent itself to a second-half capitulation by Nigeria in Benin City on Friday
The morning after the night before offers little by way of either comfort or clarity.
What is clear enough is that, despite a performance in the opening half hour that seemed to presage a drubbing for the ages, Nigeria somehow contrived to surrender pride, territory and superiority in a cataclysmically shameful second-half showing.
So begins the inquest.
Editors' Picks
Fingers have been pointed every which way, and in truth there is more than enough blame to go around.