The 2017 Super Six tournament ended on Sunday with the home-based Super Eagles emerging champions after defeating MFM FC 3-2 in Kano.
It was a victorious end to the national side's maiden participation in the annual competition, and sets them up for next month's Africa Nations Championship in Morocco.
In this feature, KweséESPN presents four key takeaways from the NPFL Invitational, a tournament which stuttered at the start, but ultimately burst into life for the conclusion.
Final drama can't hide striking deficiencies: A major source of concern during the early stages was the low return of goals at the tournament, with just seven strikes from six games.
The final matchday proved to be different, producing a total of eight goals from three matches.
The CHAN Eagles scored three to MFM FC's two, while Plateau United beat Akwa United 2-1.
Nigeria and MFM FC were the joint-top scorers with four goals, while Kano Pillars and Enyimba were the lowest with one goal apiece.
It definitely wasn't the best showcase for the NPFL's top sides as attacking threats, particularly as they prepare for continental campaigns in CAF competitions next term, and they all need to find ways to improve their menace going forward ahead of the challenges to come.
MFM FC ready for season: Kudos must be given to the management of MFM FC, who have managed to retain the bulk of their coaching crew and players over the course of three top flight seasons.
It's a consistency which has culminated in the Olukoya Boys maintaining a unique playing pattern during that period, and outclassing several of their opponents here.
By the conclusion of the Super Six, MFM FC were the only team to have scored in every match, a testament to their readiness for both domestic and continental games...provided they patch up a leaky defence.
Enyimba in transition: The People's Elephant didn't exactly cover themselves in glory at the conclusion of the Super Six.
A goal in three matches and a failure to pick up a single win in regulation time, though they did manage to win on penalties against Kano Pillars, certainly was not the projected scorecard prior to their participation at the tournament.
A major fact to note is that the recent arrival of coach Paul Aigbogun for his third stint at the club, as well as a host of new signings, meant Enyimba lacked any real rhythm and cohesion.
If they can't stabilise before the new season truly kicks off, the domestic heavyweights may find themselves off the pace early on.
The home-based Eagles aren't yet CHAN-ready: Despite emerging as champions at the conclusion of the tournament, the CHAN-bound home-based Super Eagles team are behind in their preparations, at least in comparison to the 2014 and 2016 squads.
The majority of the new invitees failed to impress, and injuries to players before and during the tournament led to a series of last-minute invitations, which has left many unconvinced about the readiness of the team with less than four weeks to go until the tournament kickoff.
A few of the youngsters may have performed above expectations, thus pushing for a shirt to the championship, however, an absence of international and continental experience may count against this team next month.