Akor Adams has called on the Super Eagles to quickly put their disappointing defeat to Guinea-Bissau behind them and restore the high standards expected of Nigeria when they face Russia in an international friendly on Tuesday.
Nigeria suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau on September 29 in their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture.
Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scored for the hosts, leaving the Super Eagles to reflect on a difficult outing after their opening 2-1 victory over Madagascar.
Speaking ahead of the Russia friendly, Adams acknowledged that Nigeria had fallen below their expected level against Guinea-Bissau and said the players had accepted responsibility for the result.
The forward stressed that the team had prepared seriously because of the importance of the qualification fixture.
“I think there are many factors that happen in the game, but it’s not a game we should lose, and we have to take responsibility for that. We have taken responsibility for it. It’s a game we prepared very well for. We knew how important it was to us in the qualification phase," he said.
Adams said the players had already begun working on the mistakes from the Guinea-Bissau encounter, admitting that the Super Eagles simply did not perform at their best as a team.
“But looking back, we are already making corrections to what happened in the game. In the game of football, we were on the bad side on that day as a group and as a team. We know where our possibilities are and how good we can be when we are at our best," he reflected.
The forward also criticised the condition of the pitch used for the match, although he made it clear that the playing surface should not be used as an excuse for Nigeria’s defeat.
He maintained that the players must be prepared to deal with different circumstances in international football.
“But that wasn’t our best day. It’s something we have to take responsibility for. I think a good pitch should be the bare minimum for African football. We all know this. I’m not making any excuses, and I would not make excuses," he stressed.
Expanding on his point, Adams insisted that professional players must find a way to perform regardless of external conditions, while reiterating his belief that the standard of playing surfaces should match the stature of African football.
"We are professionals, and we should know that there are a lot of things that come with the game. The weather, the referee, whatever the circumstances, we should be able to find our way. But a good pitch should be the bare minimum for how big African football is, and that was not the case on that day," the former Sevilla star explained.
With Nigeria now preparing for Russia, Adams said the team must focus on maintaining the standards associated with the Super Eagles rather than dwelling on the setback in Bissau.
“We have already set the standards very high. So, living up to that standard is what we wake up to do every day as the Super Eagles. For me, that’s one thing we should do going into the next games. We are aware of the standards, and we should live up to them," he urged.
He also revealed the disappointment within the squad after the loss, saying captain Wilfred Ndidi was particularly unhappy with the performance.
Ndidi, however, has since withdrawn from the Russia friendly, with John Otomewo and Vince Osuji called up as replacements.
“The captain was pissed at us, and I can understand from his point. Many of the boys were not happy and were completely devastated after coming away from a long trip without taking anything back home in an important qualification game," he revealed.
Adams stressed that Nigeria remain determined to control their own qualification destiny rather than depend on other teams for favourable results.
“There are still games to go, but with qualifications, we try our best in this generation not to be in a place where we need another team to either do good or do bad so we can qualify. But we fell short against Guinea-Bissau, and we understand better now. We will make sure we come out good," he insisted.
The Russia fixture provides an immediate opportunity for the Super Eagles to respond. Nigeria will meet Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, in their second meeting in 16 months after the teams played a 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025.
Adams welcomed the new players in camp and said the team must retain its identity despite the changes to the squad for the friendly.
“When we play for our clubs, if you play on Sunday and it doesn’t go well, you look to play on Wednesday if there is a game, so you can recuperate and bounce back as quickly as possible. For us now, there are a lot of new boys in camp. I’m happy for them, and congratulations to those who are going to make their debut in advance," he added.
The striker also acknowledged Russia’s quality and motivation ahead of the encounter, while insisting that Nigeria’s objective remains to give their best for supporters watching at home.
“But it’s still the Super Eagles, and we know what we stand for. The coach has made it clear that we are here to try our best to win. Russia is a very good team as well, and I think they are very hungry to play games because of their peculiar situation. For us, it is about giving our best. I know Nigerians are watching, they love football alot and they love the Super Eagles," he concluded.
Wale Adejumo
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