Gernot Rohr has been Nigeria's coach for only a handful of games, so each new squad announcement is another opportunity to gauge both the direction of his thoughts and the progress his team is making.
On Wednesday, the German named his 23-man squad to face South Africa in a 2019 African Nations Cup qualifier, with few surprises aside from the injury-enforced absence of Chelsea's Victor Moses and the inclusion of Zamalek's Maroof Youssef.
Other injuries and withdrawals have muddied the waters somewhat, with captain John Mikel Obi also out, along with his China-based teammates, but Rohr's replacements still paint a fairly legible picture.
GOALKEEPING: THE FUTURE, THE STAND-IN AND THE UNTRUSTED
Carl Ikeme has emerged as the first-choice goalkeeper since the premature retirement of Vincent Enyeama, but his injury record means it might be tough for Rohr to throw all his eggs in that proverbial basket.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa has been the de facto reserve but not, it seems, the trusted number two. Instead, Daniel Akpeyi of South African club Chippa United appears to be the trusted go-to for difficult games, with 20-year-old Dele Alampasu, who has enjoyed a fine season in Portugal, being groomed to take over from all three. With his current rate of progression, he could well retire them all.
DEFENCE: CHOP AND CHANGE CONTINUES
A stingy record of less than a goal per game notwithstanding, the back-four remains an area of creaking concern for Rohr. Leon Balogun's central defensive partnership with William Troost-Ekong has looked the nearest thing to impervious since the Christian Chukwu - and later Stephen Keshi - years.
But Balogun's endless romance with the treatment room leaves the German with plenty of worry about his long-term defensive options. Those constant injuries also create problems elsewhere at the back.
Mainz's Balogun can slot in equally seamlessly at right-back, allowing Kenneth Omeruo to play centre-back and vice versa. But his repeated absences mean there is no stability in a critical area of the pitch.
Last week, Rohr tried a Troost-Ekong and Chidozie Awaziem partnership against Corsica to good effect. If they hold up in other games, that could be the way going forward, with Omeruo shunted to right-back. Elderson Echiejile has been the preferred choice at left-back, but the invitation of Zamalek's Maroof would appear to indicate that Rohr is preparing well ahead.
MIDFIELD: CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES
This is the one area of the squad where Rohr is so spoiled for choice that his biggest issue is who to pick out of a bumper crop.
Ogenyi Onazi is a pitbull; Wilfred Ndidi covers ground with single-minded determination; John Ogu provides a sizable though non-lumbering presence; and Oghenekaro Etebo is a multi-talented energizer bunny with more than a spectacular goal or two in him. At least three of those would expect to be the starters in Mikel's absence.
As back-up, home-boy Alhassan Ibrahim is one of the more highly-rated players in the domestic league; a point proven by the fact that he was the only one of three outfield NPFL players to survive the cull.
FORWARDS: YOUNG, RESTLESS, NOT YET DEADLY?
Kelechi Iheanacho has six goals from nine appearances (including the Corsica friendly). That is by no means a shabby record, especially for a 20-year-old, at International level. But given the number of chances created by the Super Eagles, he and his teammates should be scoring more.
Highlights of their friendly against Corsica was pockmarked by a plethora of missed opportunities. This might go some way towards explaining the call-ups for two of Nigeria's leading strikers in Europe, Henry Onyekuru and Kayode Olanrewaju.
Onyekuru was guilty of at least two of those misses against Corsica, which might be overlooked given it was his first game at any level of international football. One can hardly say the same of Olanrewaju who, at 24, is not only widely travelled, but is at his prime and has bags of youth level international experience, having played from Under-17 through to Under-23 for Nigeria.
The absence of Moses is obviously a big blow. His ability to run at defences, cut through tight spaces, and find openings will be sorely missed. Expect that slack to be picked up by the equally tricky Moses Simon, with Ahmed Musa an experienced option if needed. Overall, Rohr's squad continues a theme from the start. Building a team of young, talented players while plugging holes, one weakness at a time.