‘We have taken responsibility’: Adams backs Nigeria to recover from Guinea-Bissau loss

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Akor Adams says Nigeria have taken responsibility for their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau and are already working to correct the mistakes that left their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign under pressure.

The Super Eagles had hoped to build on their opening Group L victory over Madagascar when they travelled to Bissau, but a difficult night at the Estadio 24 de Setembro ended with Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scoring for the hosts.

The heavy defeat was a major setback for Eric Chelle’s side, but Adams insists the players have not shied away from what went wrong.

“It’s not a game we should lose, and we have to take responsibility for that,” the Venezia striker told 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 Bissau pitch but refuses to make excuses

Adams also questioned the condition of the playing surface at the September 24 Stadium, arguing that a good pitch should be a basic requirement for international football in Africa.

But the forward was careful not to use the poor surface as an excuse for Nigeria’s performance.

“That wasn’t our best day. It’s something we have to take responsibility for,” Adams said.

“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.

“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.”

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The defeat leaves Nigeria needing a response when they return to qualifying action against co-hosts Tanzania on November 11.