The first batch of Nigerian football officials and local players were billed to depart for Malaga, Spain, Thursday to prepare for the camping of the national soccer side, the Super Eagles, for the 2008 African Cup of Nations starting in Ghana 20 January.
Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Bolaji Ojo-Oba, told journalists in the capital city of Abuja the officials and players were scheduled to leave aboard an Albania Airline flight from the commercial city of Lagos.
Ojo-Oba said an advance party from the association had already arrived at the camp in Malaga, preparatory to the arrival of the local coaches and players, while the players invited from across Europe were expected to arrive in camp 4 January.
``The NFA has done all that is expected in terms of logistics and preparations. Clubs have been put on notice to ensure that they co-operate by releasing players timely to the camp,'' the NFA official said.
``All matters regarding logistics, finances and other issues have been taken care of. We are not envisaging any problem whatsoever but absolute victory,'' Ojo-Oba said.
Earlier, the association had denied reports that the camp site was being changed due to weather problems, with temperatures in Malaga dropping below 20 degrees Celsius.
Nigeria is due to begin its campaign for a third Nations Cup title with its opening match against Cote d'Ivoire 21 January in group B of the competition.
Other teams in the group are Mali and Benin.