Akor Adams urges Super Eagles to respond quickly after Guinea-Bissau defeat
Nigeria forward Akor Adams says the Super Eagles have accepted responsibility for their 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and are correcting the weaknesses exposed in that match. He wants the team to respond against Russia while maintaining the standards expected of the national side.
Super Eagles forward Akor Adams says Nigeria must move quickly beyond its 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau and restore the standards expected of the national team when it faces Russia in an international friendly. Nigeria lost in Bissau on 29 September 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 2-1 opening win over Madagascar in Uyo and left the team with a setback to address as Group L qualifying continues. Speaking to the Super Eagles media team before the Russia match, Adams said the players had accepted responsibility and were already correcting the problems exposed by the defeat. He described the performance as one that Nigeria should not have produced, particularly given the importance of the fixture and the preparation that preceded it.
Adams said the squad had fallen below its collective level. He acknowledged that the pitch in Guinea-Bissau was difficult and argued that good playing surfaces should be a basic requirement for African football, but he repeatedly rejected using conditions as an excuse. Professionals, he said, had to adapt to weather, refereeing and other circumstances.
The forward also described the mood after the loss. He said captain Wilfred Ndidi had been particularly angry with the team’s performance and that many players were devastated after returning from a long trip without a result in an important qualification match. Ndidi has since withdrawn from the Russia friendly, according to Punch Nigeria, with John Otomewo and Vince Osuji drafted into the squad as replacements.
Adams said Nigeria had hoped to remain in control of its qualification fate rather than depend on other teams’ results. He acknowledged that the Guinea-Bissau loss made the campaign more difficult but said the players understood the position better and would try to recover in the remaining matches. The Russia friendly gives the Eagles an immediate opportunity to improve their performance, although it does not itself form part of the 2027 qualifying campaign.
The reports differ on the venue: Punch Nigeria said the match would be played at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, while Premium Times referred to Moscow. Both reports place it on Tuesday, 6 October, and agree that it is Nigeria’s second meeting with Russia in 16 months. Their previous encounter ended in a 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025.
Premium Times reported that Semi Ajayi’s own goal gave Russia the lead before Tolu Arokodare equalised. Adams welcomed new players in the current camp but said personnel changes should not alter the team’s identity or expectations. He said Russia was a strong and motivated opponent and that Nigeria needed to produce both a positive result and a better performance for supporters.
The friendly will therefore test whether the Eagles can respond to the Bissau defeat without confusing a short-term reaction with a solution to their qualifying challenge. Adams’ comments establish the squad’s stated approach—responsibility, correction and a return to its expected level—while the reports contain no further details about Nigeria’s likely lineup or the specific tactical changes being made.
Vertrix News compared the attributed reports listed below and wrote this independent synthesis. Claims remain attributed where independent verification was unavailable.