Akor Adams says Super Eagles are ready to bounce back after loss to Guinea-Bissau

Super Eagles forward Akor Adams says the team is already fixing the problems that showed up in their 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau. He believes Nigeria can get back to its best form.

Adams said the defeat was disappointing, especially because it was important for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. He noted that the players took responsibility for their performance.

Speaking to the Super Eagles media team ahead of Tuesday’s friendly match against Russia, Adams said the team is working hard to make sure this loss does not happen again.

“I think there are many factors that happen in the game, but it’s not a game we should lose, which we would take responsibility for, and we have taken responsibility for that,” he said.

“It’s a game we prepared very well for. We know how important it was to us in the qualification phase. But looking back, we are already making corrections to what happened in the game.”

Nigeria started their Group L campaign with a 2-1 win over Madagascar in Uyo. But they faced a heavy defeat in Bissau on September 29, leaving the team with work to do as the qualifiers continue.

This loss also made coach Éric Chelle admit that Guinea-Bissau played with more aggression and intensity, while Nigeria struggled to find answers. Adams said the Super Eagles know the expectations that come with being part of the national team and have to show they can meet those expectations.

“We 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. And, yeah, 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 that,” he said.

The forward also talked about the tough playing conditions in Guinea-Bissau. He argued that better pitches should be a basic need for African football.

But he also made it clear that players cannot use the conditions as an excuse for not performing.

“I think a good pitch should be a bare minimum for African football. We all know this, and I’m not making any excuses. I would not make excuses. We are professionals; we should know that there are a lot of things that come with the game, the weather, the referee, whatever the circumstance. We should be able to find our way,” he said.

Adams mentioned that the defeat left many players heartbroken, especially because of how important the match was and the long trip back home without a positive result.

He also understood captain Wilfred Ndidi’s frustration, which showed the mood in the team.

“Yeah, the captain was pissed at us, and I can understand from his point of view. Many of the boys were not happy, completely devastated, coming away after a long trip and not taking anything back home in an important qualification game,” he said.

Adams admitted Nigeria hoped to avoid a situation where they needed other teams to help them qualify.

“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 qualify. But we fell short against Bissau, and we understand better now,” he said.

The Super Eagles will get a chance to respond when they play Russia in Moscow on Tuesday. Adams said this friendly is important for the whole squad, including new players and those hoping to make their senior international debuts.

He welcomed the newcomers but stressed that expectations for representing Nigeria remain high.

“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’re very hungry to play games because of their peculiar situation. For us, it’s to give our best,” he said.

With fans expecting a good response after the loss to Bissau, Adams said the players are aware of their duty to deliver a positive result and improved performance.

“I know Nigerians are watching. They love football a lot, and they love the Super Eagles a lot. And, yeah, come out with a good result and also a good performance.