Adams urges Super Eagles to respond against Russia after Guinea-Bissau defeat
Nigeria striker Akor Adams says the Super Eagles have accepted responsibility for their 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau and must restore their standards against Russia. He said the squad had begun correcting its shortcomings, while acknowledging concerns about the pitch without treating it as an excuse.
Super Eagles striker Akor Adams has urged Nigeria to put its 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau behind it and respond when the team faces Russia in an international friendly on Tuesday. Nigeria lost in Bissau on September 29 in its second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture. Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scored for the hosts.
The result followed Nigeria’s opening 2-1 victory over Madagascar. Adams said the players had accepted responsibility for the defeat and had started addressing the weaknesses exposed in the match. He said Nigeria had prepared for the fixture but performed below its usual level as a team.
The striker raised concerns about the condition of the pitch in Bissau, but stressed that the surface should not be used to excuse the result. He said professionals had to adapt to weather, refereeing and other circumstances while arguing that suitable pitches should be a basic requirement in African football. Adams said Nigeria needed to meet the high standards associated with the Super Eagles.
He added that the team wanted to control its own qualification prospects rather than depend on results involving other countries. Captain Wilfred Ndidi was particularly unhappy with the team’s performance, Adams said. Ndidi has since withdrawn from the Russia friendly, with John Otomewo and Vince Osuji drafted into the squad as replacements.
The match against Russia will be played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6. It will be the teams’ second meeting in 16 months after a 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025. Adams welcomed the new players in camp and said the squad must retain its identity despite the changes.
He acknowledged Russia’s quality but said Nigeria’s priority was to produce a performance that would satisfy supporters.
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