Hosts Angola appear to have exorcised the ghosts of their 2010 Africa Cup of Nations opener after a comfortable 2-0 win over Malawi in Luanda on Thursday night.
'Palancas Negras' were stunned by Mali when they conceded four goals in the final 11 minutes to draw 4-4 on Sunday, a result which left fans and players alike dumbfounded and searching for explanations.
But when their chance for redemption came at the November 11 Stadium, they outplayed a Malawi side who had earlier in the week so clinically dispatched of 2010 World Cup qualifiers Algeria 3-0.
The result created a party atmosphere within a stadium that was already buzzing with excitement, and was just reward for the home side, who were the better team throughout.
Striker Manucho had Angola's first chance when his volley at the back post was half-saved by Malawian keeper Swadick Sanudi before the ball bounced onto the post and the stopper gathered at the second attempt.
But the first half was a largely scrappy affair with both sides struggling to string passes together and the teams being reduced to shooting from distance, without much accuracy.
Manucho had a clear-cut chance just past the half-hour mark as he was found in space on the edge of the area, but his goal-bound shot was expertly saved by Sanudi.
At the other end Peter Wadabwa tried a cheeky back-heel on goal from Moses Chavula's cross, but Angolan keeper Carlos Fernandes was down smartly to smother the ball.
The nerves of the home side were settled somewhat four minutes after halftime when their side took the lead at last. Djalma, who was having an excellent night, crossed from the left and Flavio, so dangerous in the air, scored his third goal of the tournament with ease.
And six minutes later it was 2-0 as Manucho robbed Peter Mponda of possession and raced in on goal, before easily beating Sanudi. It was a disaster for Mponda and Malawi, as the defender had time to hoof the ball clear, but instead tried to dribble out of trouble, which was the worst option he could have taken.
The game fizzled out a little after that as Malawi were starved of the ball by Angola, and as such could mount very little in terms of attacks, while the home side created a few half-chances here and there.
The Angolans now move to the head of Group A with four points after all the teams have played two matches, followed by Malawi (three), Algeria (three) and Mali (one).
Of course, all four teams still have a chance of progressing to the quarterfinals, with even the Malians standing a chance if they beat Malawi in their final match on Monday and Angola keep their winning run going against Algeria on the same day.
