Most of the 31 players invited to the Nigerian national team, Super Eagles' training camp in Malaga, Spain, have reported to camp, raising hopes of a solid preparation for the 20 January to 10 February Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ghana.
Local newspapers, which have been monitoring the training, reported Tuesday that at least 21 players are now in camp.
The high number of players means the Super Eagles can proceed with its friendly against Sudan Wednesday, as part of the warm-up matches lined up for the team.
The arrival of top striker Obafemi Martins at the camp has received a big play by the newspapers.
Officials of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) are quoted as saying the weather in Malaga 'is excellent and no one is trying to complain about it'.
The unseasonably cold weather in Malaga has been a major issue, since the Nations Cup will be played under the tropical heat of Ghana.
"I just want to disabuse the mind of those who have given the wrong impression and wrong signals to Nigerians that the situation as regards weather in Eagles camp in Malaga is not conducive and extremely cold as compared with Ghana's weather,' the local football website Kickoffnigeria quoted NFA Chairman Sani Lulu as saying.
'Let me tell you authoritatively that the weather in Malaga is good and conducive for the team," he added.
Nigeria is in group B in the first round of the competition, alongside Benin, Cote d'Ivoire and Mali.
The Super Eagles will open their campaign for a possible third Nations Cup title 21 January against the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana's third largest city.