It's been a compelling and chaotic week of international football across Africa, with the World Cup qualifying campaign hotting up, headlined by South Africa fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
With four gameweeks still to play, nothing's been decided yet, but the nine groups are taking shape with subplots aplenty on the road to USA-Canada-Mexico 2026.
What on earth have South Africa done?!
Are we witnessing the greatest self-sabotage in the history of African World Cup qualification?
Certainly, South Africa's 'administrative error' during the last round of matches may go down in infamy if, indeed, it results in Bafana Bafana missing out on the tournament.
A home game against lowly Lesotho - ranked 149th in the world - should be an absolutely guaranteed three points for the southern African heavyweights. Indeed, the minnows have only ever won three World Cup qualifiers in their entire history.
However, the hosts unfathomably overlooked the two yellow cards previously received by influential midfielder Teboho Mokoena during the campaign, which should have ruled him out of the 2-0 victory over Lesotho.
Failing to realise this, Bafana started the Mamelodi Sundowns man, in an oversight that may end up costing them.
While Bafana coach Hugo Broos refused to comment on the error, Lesotho have got their eyes on the result being overturned and three points awarded in their favour. The federation have already made a formal enquiry to CAF and FIFA, and precedent dictates that a 3-0 victory will likely be awarded in their favour.
It's a cataclysmic fumble by SAFA, painfully coming in a match they should comfortably have won without Mokoena, and it's likely their five-point lead over Rwanda at the top of Group C will become a one-point advantage over Lesotho come the September internationals.
...and will Nigeria capitalise?
South Africa's error could well prove to be a life-saver for their old foes Nigeria, whose first international break under new head coach Eric Chelle proved to be a mixed affair.
The Super Eagles first dispatched Rwanda 2-0 away in a solid if unconvincing display, but conceding a 90th-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 against hapless Zimbabwe in Uyo, having failed to add to Victor Osimhen's late opener was an agonising setback for the West African giants.
Chelle's would-be expansive game failed to materialise against a Warriors team who are yet to win in this qualifying programme, and it was the same old story of Nigeria failing to establish attacking patterns or a consist method of hurting opponents despite their wealth of attacking talents.
South Africa's pair of victories leaves the Super Eagles six points (for now) behind Bafana Bafana with four to play - and a trip to Mzansi to come - although if Broos's side were 'awarded' a 3-0 defeat after their Lesotho mishap, qualification would be back in the Super Eagles' hands.
Chelle would likely need to ensure that the West Africans take maximum points from their outstanding four fixtures, but South Africa might have just breathed life into Nigeria's World Cup prospects...at least more effectively than their new head coach.
Ghana's renaissance continues apace
No national side in Africa needed a strong performance during these March fixtures more than Ghana, who endured an annus horribilis during 2024.
Slowly, steadily, Otto Addo's side are banishing memories of last year's miserable Africa Cup of Nations campaign, even if their failure to reach the AFCON in Morocco later this year will take some more getting over.
They're at least on course for the World Cup, having enjoyed a perfect international break, with two victories, six points, and eight unanswered goals.
On top of that, Mali stumbled to a 0-0 draw against the Central African Republic, while Comoros and Madagascar both also dropped points to leave the Black Stars three points clear at the top of Group I.
Overlooked by Addo for the latter stages of the woeful AFCON qualifying campaign, Thomas Partey starred against Madagascar, giving the West Africans a two-goal lead before Mohammed Kudus added a third before the hour-mark.
Jordan Ayew, newly installed as captain of the national side, replacing his brother André, registered all three assists, having scored himself in last week's 5-0 demolition of Chad in Accra.
"Although we faced challenges in the AFCON qualifiers, we're committed to turning things around and making you (the fans) proud," the new captain wrote in a statement published by the federation on Wednesday.
"We're working diligently to enhance our game, ensuring we secure the necessary results in the remaining matches to qualify for the World Cup.
"We appreciate your patience, understanding, and encouragement during these critical times."
Nsue's triumphant return
Equatorial Guinea's first two victories of the qualifying campaign were struck off after it was deemed that Emilio Nsue, who scored winners in both matches, had not yet had his nationality switch from Spain ratified... this is despite making his Nzalang Nacional debut in 2013.
In the intervening months, Nsue's eligibility has been ratified, and the 2024 AFCON top scorer able to return to action for this international break.
It took him just 14 minutes to resume where he left off for the Equatoguineans, breaking the deadlock against Sao Tome e Principe before Iban Salvador Edu added a second.
Despite travel and logistics problems, they then took a point from Namibia when Saúl Coco cancelled out Peter Shalulile's opener, with Juan Micha's side clearly lifting their game and rising to the occasion with talismanic skipper Nsue back in the fold.
Without those two victories being disqualified due to Nsue's ineligibility, Equatorial Guinea would only be three points behind Group H leaders Tunisia - for whom a late double secured maximum points against Malawi - as things stand, they remain nine points off the Carthage Eagles with four games to play.
However, Namibia, in second on 12 points, remain in touching distance for the Central Africans as the returning Nsue looks to inspire the side ranked 93rd in the world to an unlikely playoff berth.
...and Haller's back as well
Another returning striker, whose 2024 highlight also came at the Nations Cup, is Cote d'Ivoire forward Sébastien Haller, with his return to fitness and form (ish) at Utrecht prompting Emerse Fae to give him another shot with the Elephants.
The injury-hit African champions needed the powerful forward back in the camp, and 30-year-old Haller demonstrated why he can still be the West Africans' line-leader with a 15th-minute headed winner to see off The Gambia in Abidjan.
Long term, it remains to be seen whether Haller's fitness holds up, but if he can remain in and around the squad, then Fae should have a valuable asset for (likely) two upcoming major tournaments in the next 18 months.
AFCON winners 13 months ago, the Ivory Coast sit atop Group F, one point ahead of Gabon. The two sides will meet in September.
Three-way tussle in Group B
Group B might be the most fascinating of the nine pools, with the Democratic Republic of Congo now moving into pole position with four gameweeks to go, at least until hostiles resume in September.
Sudan, unlikely leaders under Kwesi Appiah heading into this international break, missed out not he opportunity to consolidate top spot when they conceded a 98th-minute goal against South Sudan, scored by Omot Sebit.
Their draw against Senegal in Benghazi, however, denied the Teranga Lions the opportunity to take top spot, promoting criticism of the 2021 African champions - and star forward Sadio Mané - back home.
Pape Thiaw's side responded well with a 2-0 victory over Togo, but they've fallen behind the Leopards, who took maximum six points in this window to move one point clear.
Could the Leopards really be on course for a first World Cup qualification since 1974?
Salah leads North African dominance
Unsurprisingly, the usual suspects from North Africa all lead their groups as we pass the halfway stage of the qualification campaign.
Morocco are the only side who are guaranteed of reaching the continental playoffs at least as they move nine points clear of Niger in Group E, while Tunisia and Algeria are also sitting pretty.
Les Fennecs may only be three points clear of Mozambique in Group G, but a 5-1 thumping of their nearest rivals on Tuesday demonstrated why they're among the safest bets to represent the continent next year.
Egypt too, five points ahead of Burkina Faso, will fancy their chances of progression, which would mean a final opportunity for Mohamed Salah to leave his mark on a Mondiale.
The legendary forward was a pale version of himself at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, having been injured by Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final, but may not have an opportunity to excel on the grandest stage of all next year.
He currently leads the scoring charts for qualification with six goals, and Liverpool fans may hope that his latest strike - against Ethiopia - can help him overcome a recent dip in form for the Reds as they tumbled out of the UCL and were defeated by Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final.