The African Nations Cup quarter-final line-up has a familiar look about it with five of the qualifiers having reached the same stage two years ago.
Only hosts Egypt, their opponents tomorrow the Democratic Republic of Congo and World Cup-bound Ivory Coast were not in the last eight in Tunisia in 2004.
This has served to reinforce the strength of the old order in African football at a time when a change had been threatened by the likes of Angola, Ghana and Togo qualifying for the World Cup for the first time.
Egypt have made up for the disappointment of an early exit in Tunisia by winning their group and more importantly ensured that local interest in the tournament has been heightened.
"We were very concerned that Egypt would make it in order for the event to be a success," tournament director Khaled Abdelaziz told Reuters.
Egypt's nervous start to the tournament dissipated in a thrilling second-half performance against the Ivory Coast in their last group game at the weekend when they scored twice for a 3-1 win and top place in Group A.
They start as favourites against the Congolese, who only won their opening game and scraped through on goal difference.
Officials said a capacity 78,400 crowd was expected for tomorrow's meeting at the Cairo International stadium.
Egypt's quarter-final is preceded earlier in the day by a west Africa derby between Guinea and Senegal, who also limped into the last eight despite losing their last two group games.
Senegal edged out World Cup finalists Ghana on goal difference to claim second place in Group D, even after losing 2-1 to Nigeria on Tuesday in Port Said.
They now travel west to Alexandria, some 200km from Port Said, where a buoyant Guinea await them. Guinea were surprise winners of Group C with a 100 per cent record and according to midfielder Pablo Thiam are brimming with confidence.
"The results have reinforced the potential in our squad," he said.
Cameroon's meeting with the Ivory Coast on Saturday renews hostilities from the World Cup qualifiers when Cameroon won both at home and away yet finished behind the Elephants in the race for a place in Germany later this year.
A dramatic 3-2 win for Cameroon in Abidjan in September was the most thrilling of all of the World Cup qualifiers played in Africa over the last three years.
The two teams traded blows like punch-drunk heavyweight boxers before a hat-trick from Achille Webo settled the game in Cameroon's favour.
This time they meet at Cairo's Military stadium, preceded by Nigeria's game against title holders Tunisia.
It is a repeat of the semi-final in 2004 when hosts Tunisia won 5-3 on penalties after a bruising draw.
"Tunisia are technically and tactically a very smart team. I expect it is going to be hard for us," warned Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen.
Mido doubtful
Meanwhile, Egypt striker Mido is doubtful for the quarter-final against DR Congo, coach Hassan Shehata said.
A national hero in Egypt, the Tottenham Hotspur forward limped off in the first half of Saturday's 3-1 Group A win over Ivory Coast.
"We have no serious injuries except for Mido," Shehata said.
"He's having treatment but it's not certain if he's going to play the next game or not."