Both Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of Congo showed fortitude in the face of adversity to force a result in their opening African Nations Cup matches and now go up against each other in Ebibeyin on Thursday.
It should make for an absorbing Group B clash between two countries who were last on the same field a decade ago in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.
In those days, Cape Verde were a rookie presence on the continental circuit and something of a walkover for the Congolese Leopards. Now, as the surprise package of African football over the last four years, they bring much more experience and greater depth.
They were quarter-finalists at the last Nations Cup and unlucky not to contest the play-offs for the World Cup in Brazil. They could even be considered marginally favoured against a country who dwarf them in terms of size and resources.
These days, says coach Rui Aguas, they offer a "strong cohesion that I've never before experienced in my career."
"It is a family and this strong cohesion and unity will help us get over obstacles," he said on Wednesday.
"Only a selection as cohesive and united as the Cape Verde could get around the disadvantages in the match against Tunisia," he added. The islanders came back quickly after conceding a 70th minute goal to draw the match 1-1.
Congo's coach Florent Ibenge said their 1-1 draw with Zambia in opening group game had offered some good lessons.
"We conceded a goal in the first minute but what was really disturbing, is that we made no immediate reaction.
"This was rectified in the second half to come from behind, but overall we were disappointed with the result. Football is not mathematics, it is only necessary work. Everything we did in the preparation went well but in the first game some players left that all behind," said Ibenge.
Midfielder Neekens Kebano, who was a surprise omission from the team against Zambia on Sunday, is not injured as originally reported but was left out because of a tactical switch. French-born Kebano had been tipped as one of the potential stars of the tournament before the kick off in Equatorial Guinea.
