Not much was expected from the Super Eagles as they headed into the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon. With an interim coach appointed three weeks to kickoff, Nigeria went into the tournament with low expectations.
But Nigeria occasionally thrive in disorder. The Super Eagles stunned all, including themselves by emerging as the best team in pool play, securing all nine points on offer -- the only team to do so. This included a big opening win over Mohamed Salah and Egypt.
They conked out in the round of 16 to Tunisia, but won the hearts of many Nigerians. Almost every starting player earned a place in this month's rankings, beginning with the rejuvenated and effervescent Simon.
1. Moses Simon - Nantes, France
Having missed the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, this edition proved to be Simon's breakout tournament.
Unshackled from the defensive responsibilities that have been his albatross over the last few years, and allowed the free expression he enjoys at club level, Simon looked a completely different player in the green and white.
Within the opening minutes of the first game against Egypt, he had turned his marker Akram Tawfik, and went on to help set up Nigeria's first goal of the competition in their win over the Pharaohs. It was an effervescent display that really should have earned him the player of the match award.
But he was not to be denied in the very next game, where another eye-catching display saw him claim a goal and an assist against Sudan before a second half cameo in the 3-1 win over Guinea Bissau. He set up Troost-Ekong for a goal by bamboozling the defence with fancy footwork before crashing his shot against the crossbar for the defender to tap in the easy rebound.
He was by far Nigeria's best player at the competition. The Super Eagles looked entirely wingless and toothless when he was double-teamed and blunted in the round of 16 game.
2. William Troost-Ekong - Watford, England
Over the last couple of months, Troost-Ekong has been at the receiving end of some harsh criticism for his performances for Watford and Nigeria.
Like Moses, he has also taken the brunt of the criticism for Nigeria's recent shaky performances under previous coach Gernot Rohr, especially following the mix-up that led to Central African Republic's shock winning goal in World Cup qualifying.
But then AFCON came around, and even without his regular centreback partner, Leon Balogun, Troost-Ekong answered his critics in sound fashion -- two cleansheets, two goals conceded in four games, a masterful defensive performance at one end and a goal and an assist at the other.
3. Joseph Aribo - Rangers, Scotland
Aribo had been in fine form all season in Scotland, and had also been one of the bright spots in Nigeria's qualifying run. Still, there were many who wondered how he would cope with the unforgiving physicality of AFCON, especially in the sweltering heat and humidity of Cameroon.
Aribo, though, took to the tournament like a natural. Playing as the second of Nigeria's double pivot, he was also given license to be adventurous and took full advantage. He showed not just his box to box skills, but his ability to create chances from deep and high up.
His instinctive touch found Iheanacho from a cleared Simon cross and led to the first and winning goal against Egypt. He never looked back from there.
After Nigeria's elimination, Aribo calmly returned to doing the same, helping Rangers with an assist for the opening goal in the their 3-3 draw at Ross County.
4. Kenneth Omeruo - Leganes, Spain
Despite being only one of two players in the squad with an AFCON title -- the other being Ahmed Musa -- Omeruo has found himself eclipsed by Balogun.
But with the Rangers man injured and unable to make the tournament, it was Omeruo's opportunity to stake a real claim to the position. And he did. His renewed partnership with Troost-Ekong looked smooth and near impenetrable.
Zero goals conceded from open play in four group games, with little threat to goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, was an impressive reflection of the success of the partnership.
The one time they were beaten from open play was a long-range effort against Tunisia. Ultimately, that proved enough to send the Super Eagles home, but Omeruo had done enough to work his way back into contention, and Balogun will now have a fight to take the shirt off him when World Cup qualifying hostilities resume in March.
5. Kelechi Iheanacho - Leicester City, England
A rasping volley for the winning goal in the opening game against Egypt and the player of the Match takeaway, freekick delivery for Awoniyi's first international goal, a sumptuous assist to Sadiq Umar to also claim his first international goal -- it was clear that Iheanacho was looking the part.
Sitting in the hole, the forward provided support for his lead striker, but also helped link up play with the midfield. His deliveries from setpieces were a constant threat.
6. Wilfred Ndidi - Leicester City, England
If the Nigeria defence looked near impregnable all tournament long, it was because Ndidi was in his usual 'you shall not pass' mode.
The midfielder was not at his most imperious, but set the foundation not just for screening the back four, but also for allowing Aribo be effective in his box-to-box role.
Ndidi also got himself into good offensive positions and, with better shooting, could have found himself on the scoresheet on more than one occasion.
He could have done better in preventing the strike from Youssef Msakni that led to Nigeria's elimination, but it is telling of how good he is for the team that it was his one error that led to a decisive goal.
7. Zaidu Sanusi - Porto, Portugal
Restored to the starting team after being dropped in favour of Jamilu Collins for the last few Nigeria games, Sanusi proved exactly how good he can be, on both ends of the pitch.
With the Super Eagles heavily reliant on width, especially the left side where Simon was in full flight, the Porto man provided the base from which his winger tormented opposing defenders, always offering an outlet for the Nantes man and making himself available to receive or cross the ball.
8. Ola Aina - Torino, Italy
Like his fullback partner at the other end, Aina had found himself frozen out of the right-back spot, with Shehu Abdullahi the preferred starter. But injury to the former Pillars man provided the opportunity for the former Chelsea starlet to show the interim coach his worth -- and he grabbed it with both hands.
Uncompromising at the back, Aina was part of that back four that let little get behind them in a sizzling group-stage performance.
He was also available to make marauding runs beside and behind Samuel Chukwuweze as the Super Eagles stretched the play out wide.
Like Ndidi, he blotted his copybook somewhat by being caught out in the lead to the decisive goal that eliminated Nigeria. But it is hard to see how Abdullahi wins that shirt back now.
9. Taiwo Awoniyi - Union Berlin, Germany
Just one goal in four games is a poor return for a striker, but for a player whose previous taste of international football was all of 45 minutes, Awoniyi showed enough to ensure that while Victor Osimhen remains the main man, there will be a battle in the coming years.
His physical play, movement and positioning should have earned him more than just that measly strike.
It is that positioning that saw him get what looked like a fluke goal, being in the right place at the right time combined with the instinct to get his head to the ball and guide it beyond the goalkeeper.
But those tools helped open up space for others, and there is no doubt that when he settles in, he will be a high-impact player.