The Super Eagles training camp will officially open on December 29 in Abuja, but European clubs, under the auspices of the World League Forum, have said they will only release the players five days later.
This will be certainly be a huge setback to the Eagles preparations to the AFCON in Cameroon as they will begin their campaign with a tough opening group game against seven-time champions Egypt on January 11.
FIFA rule is that clubs must release players by December 27, 13 days before the kick-off of the competition.
Some of the Super Eagles call-ups like Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Zaidu Sanusi from FC Porto may also hit camp much closer to the Egypt clash.
The Eagles build-up to the AFCON has been further complicated by the fact that they will train under new coaches, either caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen or a new foreign coach.
The implication is that the team may not play any warm-up game before their opening group game, while other rival teams like Guinea-Bissau and Sudan have already lined up test games before the AFCON.
Nigeria have yet to announce a provisional squad for the tournament in Cameroon.
AFCON qualifiers can register 28 players, five more than the usual 23, because of the Coronavirus situation.
