Akor Adams backs Nigeria to recover from Guinea-Bissau defeat

Super Eagles forward Akor Adams says Nigeria must respond quickly after their disappointing 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Djurtus secured a comfortable victory in Tuesday’s Matchday 2 game at the September 24 Stadium in Bissau, leaving Nigeria with only three points from their opening two matches.

Nigeria began their qualifying campaign with a narrow 2-1 win over Madagascar, but the heavy defeat in Guinea-Bissau has increased the pressure on the Super Eagles to correct their shortcomings.

Adams said the squad had accepted responsibility for the performance and was already working on the issues exposed during the match.

“It’s not a game we should lose, and we have to take responsibility for that,” Adams told the Super Eagles media.

“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.

“Looking back, we are already making corrections to what happened in the game. In football, we were on the bad side on that day as a group and as a team.

“We know our possibilities and how good we can be when we are at our best.”

Adams criticises pitch but rejects excuses

The forward also voiced his dissatisfaction with the playing surface at the September 24 Stadium, while making clear that he did not regard the pitch as a valid explanation for Nigeria’s defeat.

“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 said.

Adams said Nigeria’s players had to remain capable of dealing with difficult conditions, regardless of the circumstances surrounding a match.

“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 result was Guinea-Bissau’s second win of the qualifying campaign, while Nigeria suffered their first defeat after opening with victory against Madagascar. Adams believes the Super Eagles can show their true level by responding positively to the setback.