When Cameroon celebrated their Africa Cup of Nations success with a triumphant return to Yaounde in February, there was the growing sense that the fallen giants had returned to the pinnacle of the continent.
However, less than four months on, and following their underwhelming display at the Confederations Cup, Hugo Broos's side have come crashing back down to earth with a thump.
The Central Africans now have to pick themselves up to resume their World Cup qualifying campaign, where the prospect of missing out on a third tournament since the 1970s is staring them in the face.
Africa's champions don't have a good track record of reaching the globe's grandest stage, at least not in recent years.
Of the eight continental champions since Cameroon last won the title in 2002, only Tunisia and Nigeria have qualified for the first World Cup after winning the Afcon.
Despite winning the title on three occasions since the turn of the century, Egypt haven't reached the Mundial since 1990, while Zambia failed to follow up their triumph in 2012 with a spot at the 2014 event.
Ivory Coast, winners in 2015, are on course to reach Russia despite their recent downturn in form, but Cameroon have their work cut out to make their eighth tournament.
Admittedly, the Indomitable Lions are yet to lose during their qualifying campaign -- a decent return after being drawn in the 'Group of Death' -- and they sit second, behind Nigeria and ahead of Zambia and Algeria.
There are certainly positives to be taken; taking a point from Algeria in October -- arguably the toughest fixture in the pool -- was a fine result from the team who later became continental champions. Similarly, the subsequent implosion of the Fennecs -- they fell at the first hurdle of the Afcon despite being among the tournament favourites -- leaves them with much work to do in their upcoming double-header with Zambia later this year if they're to remain in the hunt for a third consecutive World Cup appearance.
Also, while Nigeria's resurgence under Gernot Rohr had been a cause for concern for Cameroon, the Super Eagles' progress came to a screeching halt when they were handed a shock Nations Cup qualifying defeat by South Africa earlier this month.
It was a defeat so devastating that it has the potential to undermine much of the good work the German coach has achieved during his tenure, and Cameroon will hope that -- when they face Nigeria in August -- they can capitalise on the West Africans' recent wobble.
However, assessing Cameroon's showing during the Confederations Cup, there wasn't too much to suggest that they can ride the rocky road back to Russia for next summer's showpiece.
Fabrice Ondoa, as noted by KweséESPN's Colin Udoh, further established his reputation as one of Africa's most talented young stoppers, while Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa demonstrated that he can be a valuable asset to this squad.
Apart from that, however, there weren't too many positives to take from their one-point showing.
The defence that had appeared resilient, rugged and organised at the Nations Cup -- albeit with a jitter or two when faced with Egypt's Mohamed Salah in the final -- was shredded by Chile and failed to contain Germany, admittedly two top sides.
Ernest Mabouka -- introduced into the backline as a replacement for Ambroise Oyongo -- gave away a penalty vs. Australia and was sent off against Germany, and Broos's decision to avoid giving some of the less experienced members of his squad a run-out betrays a lack of confidence in their abilities.
In midfield, Sebastien Siani too often looked pedestrian, while Vincent Aboubakar's profligacy against Australia almost masked the failings of his colleagues, with Benjamin Moukandjo jaded and Christian Bassogog often allowing attacking moves to break down at his feet.
If Cameroon are to overhaul Nigeria and displace the Eagles in top spot in Group B, they surely needed to demonstrate at the Confederations Cup that they were building on their Nations Cup success and were ready to consolidate their progress.
Instead, their showings in Russia only served to suggest that the Afcon was a false dawn for the Indomitable Lions. Don't expect to see them back next year.