Cote d'Ivoire's slender 1-0 victory over Sudan in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations opener left many wondering where the spark had gone for the continent's top-ranked side.
It was a lethargic display, with the team playing within themselves and failing to show the kind of cutting edge their star-studded line-up had promised.
Credit must go to Sudan though for the organised manner in which they stifled the Ivorians for much of the game, and briefly in the second half, posed a threat.
But tournament play is a marathon and not a sprint - what is most important is collecting wins, not necessarily praise from the stands.
Spain lost their opening 2010 FIFA World Cup game against Switzerland and still went on to win the tournament. Cote d'Ivoire, though below par, still managed at least to find three points and coach François Zahoui will be confident that his side will improve as the tournament goes on.
He admitted after yesterday's win that he was not looking for free-flowing football from his players, but rather quiet efficiency and a victory above everything else.
"People always expect to witness some fireworks with Ivory Coast, but it's the Africa Cup of Nations, it's very difficult, and our aim is to gain the final victory," he told reporters.
"I watched Equatorial Guinea's win, as well as Senegal's troubles; we did a specific type of training to in order to gradually improve as the competition goes further on."
Sudan coach Mohamed Abdalla praised his players for the fight they showed against The Elephants and believes there is more to come from them in this competition.
He believes they can get something out of the games against Burkina Faso and Angola, and that the quarterfinal dream is not over after one result.
"Against a team like Cote d'Ivoire, with all its stars and with them being big favourites for the final trophy, we had to be very cautious," he said.
"I am in charge of a young and inexperienced side. I am not upset with the players. But it doesn't mean I am satisfied with the result. We are going to go back to work ahead of the next match."
Next up for Cote d'Ivoire on Thursday is a meeting with Burkina Faso, while Sudan take on Angola. Both matches are at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo.
