When Sunderland dropped into the Championship after ten years in the Premier League, they had six high-profile African players on their books.
Ahead of their showdown with Hull City on Saturday only two remain, but after keeping hold of Didier Ibrahim N'Dong, Simon Grayson may have an ace up the sleeve as he looks to secure promotion at the first attempt.
David Moyes recruited Everton stalwarts Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar for last season's inevitable battle against relegation after taking over at the Stadium of Light, but while the former threatened to help the Black Cats escape the drop, the latter's limited involvement suggested that time had finally taken its toll.
It was therefore inevitable that both would depart this summer when their contracts expired, with Anichebe joining the considerable Nigerian exodus to China after sealing a move to Beijing Enterprises, and Pienaar making the bold move to return to South Africa with PSL champions Bidvest Wits.
The remaining quartet were all linked with moves away from the North East in the summer, and it appeared likely that all would return to the French top flight.
Ultimately, two departed and two remained.
Papy Djilobodji's 6 foot 4 frame could have made him a key competitor for the Black Cats in the rough and tumble second tier even though his performance against Carlisle in a recent League Cup game was worryingly error-strewn.
The centre-back struggled to impress since his £8 million move from Chelsea last summer, and Sunderland were always going to have their work cut out to recoup that fee. They ultimately had to accept a loan deal for the Senegal international, sending him back to France with Dijon.
Similarly, Wahbi Khazri could have been a dynamic presence in the second tier, offering the kind of spark, technical class and creativity to help Sunderland past some of the Championship's trickier opponents.
The Tunisia international was never truly trusted by Moyes last season, but any desires Grayson had of building the team around him were ended when the North African was booed by his own fans against Barnsley after indicating he was keen to move on amidst reported interest from Turkey.
A muddled Instagram post after that match hinted at a potential u-turn, but few were surprised when Khazri departed - also on loan - to Stade Rennais on deadline day.
Sunderland never got anything like a return on Khazri after parting with £9 million to sign him from Girondins de Bordeaux, but a goal two minutes into his Rennes debut against Olympique de Marseille suggests that the Black Cats will regret under-using this talented playmaker.
The exits of Djilobodji and Khazri left just Lamine Kone and N'Dong as the only African representatives at Sunderland.
Kone, who was close to a £14 million transfer to Everton last summer, had been heavily linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light, with both West Ham United and Southampton named as potential suitors.
The Ivorian defender has previously outlined his desire to leave the club after having been a key figure in the successful battle against the drop under Sam Allardyce and was a terrace hero.
However, he was a shadow of the imposing figure that dominated Premier League strikers under Big Sam, and it remains to be seen what kind of level he can still achieve on Wearside.
If he can rediscover the focus and the discipline he demonstrated under Allardyce, there's no doubt that Kone can be a monstrous presence in the Championship, where his influence and leadership could help the Black Cats remain resilient at the back.
More important than Kone, is Gabon international N'Dong, who largely retained the affection of the Sunderland fans despite the misery of last term, with his tenacious, committed displays in the heart of the midfield.
N'Dong remains impetuous, but as an all-round midfield talent, he has the potential to be almost unparalleled in the second tier.
Already averaging 3.4 tackles per match after seven performances in the Championship - and forging a potentially bruising partnership with fit-again club captain Lee Cattermole - N'Dong excels as a ball-winning midfielder and a dynamic protective wall in front of the backline.
However, he can also be effective with the ball at his feet, capable of taking players on and of feeding Sunderland's new forward line, even if his performances have been high on endeavour but a little low on technical quality in recent weeks.
The aggressive midfielder was also linked with a move away from the club during the summer - with both West Ham United and Olympique Lyonnais interested in his services - but remains, for now at least, to help Sunderland bounce back.
Grayson has, however, acknowledged that while he's impressed with the character of both N'Dong and Kone, he's told both that he wouldn't stand in their way if the right offer comes in in January.
"Both were really positive in what they wanted to do and I think their performances up to deadline day suggested that," the newly appointed coach began. "They both were very good and having good players is going to benefit us.
"Speaking to them before the start of the season and throughout, I just keep telling them to play well because I said before deadline day that if players are playing well other clubs are going to show interest and be attracted to these players.
"They've done well but if they want to leave the club in January their performances will decide that."
For now, Sunderland's form doesn't suggest that they're primed for an immediate return to the top table - they head into the Hull game in 20th, after taking just five points from their opening seven games, and on a four-game losing streak.
However, now that the uncertainty of the transfer window is dissipating, and if Grayson can get the best out of Kone and N'Dong - two players who have the potential to be among the division's stand-outs - then expect their fortunes to change.
Could the turnaround begin away at Hull on Saturday?
