South Africa's two encounters with Panama in Durban last Friday and Cape Town this Tuesday left Hugo Broos with some answers to his problems, but other questions still lingering.
Bafana controlled the tempo for the lion's share of both games, but their dominance did not always translate to goals and lapses at the back meant they drew 1-1 in Durban and lost 2-1 in Cape Town.
However, there were some players who can at least head home to their clubs feeling confident that they proved themselves capable as pieces of the puzzle Broos has to solve ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which Bafana will kick off against co-hosts Mexico on June 11.
Mbekezeli 'TLB' Mbokazi: the man for the big moment
Bafana Bafana are not the finished product - and the same can even be said of their star centre-back, Chicago Fire's Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
There were lapses at the back for Bafana, including from him, but his long-range piledriver in his first game since his debut Major League Soccer season kicked off was a reminder that when the team needs someone to stand up and be counted, the 20-year-old will not be running away from the challenge.
If all goes as it should, there will be many more screamers to come from him on the international stage and in some of the world's most famous leagues.
Finishing problems remain unsolved
If there is one issue which is threatening the goodwill Broos has built among supporters, it is surely Bafana Bafana's wastefulness in front of goal.
Fans near the media seats at Cape Town's DHL Stadium called for Burnley striker Lyle Foster to be substituted after he was denied from point-blank range in the 35th minute.
Seven minutes later, Minnesota United winger Bongokuhle Hlongwane was on the receiving end of the same signals from angry supporters after firing a golden opportunity off target.
It is, of course, not up to Broos to teach such experienced professionals how to put away chances. The veteran Belgian coach has, however, put himself at risk of drawing fan ire due to his continued omission of several players capable of finding the net - chief among them Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners.
Rayners sits second in the Betway Premiership scoring charts with 10 goals from 17 appearances, making him this season's top-scoring South African in the league.
This tremendous record despite an apparent cardiac scare earlier in the season and heavy competition for places upfront at Sundowns surely warrants inclusion in the squad at the very least.
Even if Broos is not sold on Rayners specifically, he will need to find goals somewhere. Bradley Grobler, who has scored eight goals, was a far less controversial omission than Rayners.
However, if neither Rayners nor Grobler is going to be selected - and Al-Ittihad Tripoli's Thembinkosi Lorch will not be picked either to fill the gap in terms of goals - then who can be counted upon to deliver when Foster is not firing on all cylinders? This, perhaps above all else, should be the problem which keeps Broos up at night.
He would likely contend that Evidence Makgopa is his man - and, indeed, the Orlando Pirates target man has impressed for Bafana Bafana. That said, if he cannot be relied upon week-in-week out as a goal poacher for the Buccaneers despite his admittedly impressive work rate, then surely, more options are needed upfront for the national team.
Jayden Adams ready to step up in midfield
One issue which appears to have caused Broos severe stress, but should do so no longer, has been the tendency of his midfield to fold under pressure. Broos slammed Sphephelo Sithole during AFCON for being careless in possession during a 3-2 win over Zimbabwe. Sithole had a nightmare performance in the 1-1 draw with Panama in Durban.
Enter Jayden Adams as a starter for the Cape Town rematch, and suddenly, any sign of sloppiness on the ball had evaporated. Even alongside the irreplaceable Teboho Mokoena, Adams stood out as the engine of the team. He was tenacious off the ball and lightning-quick in his thinking on it.
Still only 24, Adams has been in and out of the team both for Sundowns and South Africa. He was dropped by Broos a year and a half ago after SABC Sport reported that he had failed to report for a national team camp on time while still on the books of his previous club, Stellenbosch FC.
At Sundowns, Adams struggled for minutes at first, but has now overtaken Bathusi Aubaas in the pecking order and appears to be viewed as capable of starting regularly even in a team which features the likes of Mokoena, Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho among other options in his position.
He may have had teething problems over the last 18 months, but Adams is the most capable heir to the throne Mokoena has inherited since Broos took over - namely that reserved for the kingpin of the Bafana Bafana midfield.
Broos insisted on giving significant minutes to Mamelodi Sundowns players despite their busy Premiership and CAF Champions League schedule. As far as Adams goes, the minutes did not go to waste in the slightest.
If there is any concern still in this position, it should be over who to back Adams up. When Sithole came off the bench on Tuesday, he was still well short of his best. A talented player on his day, the CD Tondela man will surely be in the picture still if he can recover confidence ahead of the World Cup.
Orlando Pirates' Thalente Mbatha is bound to be in the picture too, while fellow Pirates man Masindi Nemtajela and Portsmouth's Luke le Roux could be alternative options.
Fans remain behind Bafana
Fans turned out in numbers to support Bafana Bafana even after their last 16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco less than three months ago. That was a relief for Broos, who admitted he feared a return to the near-empty stadiums he presided over the team in during the beginning of his tenure.
The return of fan favourite Themba Zwane after recurring injury woes helped in no small part. However, 'Mshishi' is clearly one of many players in the current squad to have captured the hearts of the nation during Bafana's resurgence over the last five years.
The largely positive reception from the fans means that players will know when they head off to their first World Cup in 16 years that at the very least, they have given their country hope. The next step is to convert that hope into assuredness.