Despite admitting that the game is a tune up match, Rufai said a victory will go a long way to better the image of the Nigerian team that has since plummeted in in world football rankings.
“I want them to go out for a win, Iran should not be a problem for Nigeria, I am sure if they put their mind to it they can win. More so it is an avenue for them to show the stuff they are made up of for the new coach, Samson Siasia,” he said.
According to Nigeria Football Federation officials, the home-based players in the Super Eagles team will fly to Tehran today; and will be joined by their foreign-based counterparts the same day.
The Acting Secretary General of the NFF, Musa Amadu, revealed that the the team will only have a training session before the game as there was no time for elaborate preparation before the encounter.
He added that Samson Siasia, the newly appointed coach of the Super Eagles will be in Tehran, Iran for the international friendly as an observer.
The new Super Eagles gaffer was meant to be unveiled to the public and the press last Wednesday but the national strike embarked upon by workers stalled the event. No new date has been fixed for the unveiling ceremony.
Amadu also explained that the descion to include Siasia on the trip is for him to have his first one-on-one contact with the players, especially the foreign-based.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles’ new boss has however expressed that the team will surpass their previous marks in both the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup finals.
Siasia said he would focus on the domestic league players while the foreign-based players will still provide the experience and professional edge in the team.