Peter Rufai has spoken on the importance of the May 28 international friendly match between Nigeria's Super Eagles and their Scotland counterparts slated for the Craven Cottage, home ground of relegated English Premier Leagueside, Fulham.

Rufai, who is called 'Dodo Mayana' by his admirers, says the game apart from marking the very beginning of Super Eagles major preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil next month, also said it will also serve as litmus test for the 30 players from which coach Stephen Keshi will pick his final 23 players for the Mundial.

The former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain was particular about returnee Stoke City striker, Osaze Odemwingie who he said has not featured for the team since after the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

"The friendly match against Scotland forms the start of the preparation for the World Cup finals", Dodo Mayana pointed out.

"We're no longer talking about the 30-man provisional list but the final 23-man squad that will be selected after the real preparation for the World Cup.

"The Scotland game will determine which of the players that will make the final 23-man squad for the Mundial.

"Of course, players like Osaze who has been out of the team for long will use the game to play himself back into the team, to convince the technical crew he remains the same quality striker he has always been.

"And don't forget too that the coaches under Stephen Keshi will also use the game to assess the players' fitness, response to tactical and technical situations among other issues.

"It's going to be good game, very tough for the players because they know going to the World Cup depends on their performances during the game and of course some other friendly games coming up.

"Its not about how many goals the team scores, its about team cohesion,  response to situations in the course of matches and all that so for me the game is very important", Rufai, a former Stationery Stores FC goalkeeper and captain said while wishing the players injury free games going into the World Cup.

The 30 players listed by Stephen Keshi for preparation towards the World Cup in Brazil are expected to arrive London May 25 for the friendly match with Scotland on May 28 at Craven Cottage Stadium.