The Super Eagles Bolton White Apartments camp in Abuja is expected to come alive on Wednesday with all the players bar the Britain-based contingent expected at their Bolton White Apartments abode.
The World League Forum, an umbrella organisation covering the major league clubs from around the globe, had hinted over the weekend that players would be released for the Africa Cup of Nations from January 3 rather than the December 27 date set by FIFA.
But officials have reportedly disclosed that despite another chaotic build-up, the Super Eagles will depart for the AFCON in Cameroon on January 5, which will be six days before their opening group game against seven-time champions Egypt in Garoua.
Rangers FC stars Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun, Zaidu Sanusi from FC Porto and Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho are due to join up by January 3.
Officials had hoped for at least three test games to prepare the Eagles for the AFCON.