Akor Adams Blasts Bissau Pitch, Insists Eagles Must Take Responsibility

Akor Adams says the Super Eagles have taken responsibility for their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau and have already begun correcting the mistakes that led to the loss.

Nigeria had travelled to Bissau hoping to build on their opening 2-1 victory over Madagascar in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Instead, Eric Chelle’s side suffered a damaging defeat at the Estadio 24 de Setembro, with Franculino Dju, Mama Baldé and Alvaro Djalo scoring for the hosts.

The result dealt a major blow to Nigeria’s qualification hopes and increased the pressure on the Super Eagles ahead of their remaining fixtures.

Adams admitted the defeat was one Nigeria should have avoided but said the players have accepted responsibility and are determined to learn from the setback.

‘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.’

The Venezia striker also criticised the condition of the playing surface at the Estadio 24 de Setembro but refused to use it as an excuse for Nigeria’s defeat.

Adams believes a good playing surface should be a basic requirement for major African football matches.

‘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.

‘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.’

Nigeria will next face co-hosts Tanzania on November 11, with the Super Eagles desperate to get their qualifying campaign back on track.