Akor Adams has accepted responsibility for Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while criticising the condition of the Stade 24 de Setembro pitch.
The Venezia striker spoke publicly for the first time since the humiliating loss, which saw the Super Eagles beaten by a side ranked 106 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
Adams said the team had to take responsibility for the result but also raised concerns about the infrastructure used for the match, in an implicit criticism of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“A good pitch is the bare minimum for African football,” he said.
The playing surface in Bissau was in very poor condition and became one of the main talking points after the match. Nigeria manager Eric Chelle also identified the pitch as one of the factors behind the defeat during his post-match comments.
Speaking to the Super Eagles’ media service, Adams offered a frank assessment while calling for better standards around African football.
The result leaves Nigeria second in Group L of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition, three points behind Guinea-Bissau.
Tanzania’s presence in the group adds further pressure. As a co-host of the Africa Cup of Nations, Tanzania have qualified automatically, leaving only one direct qualification place available from the group. That means every dropped point could prove decisive for Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament.
The Super Eagles will have an opportunity to respond when they face Russia in a friendly on Tuesday.
Chelle will not have his full regular squad available for that match, but Adams has been included. The immediate priority will be to rebuild understanding within the team and restore momentum before Nigeria return to competitive qualifying action.
