Super Eagles: 2 things Akor Adams wants Nigeria to fix before Russia friendly

Super Eagles forward Akor Adams has identified two things Nigeria must fix before Tuesday’s friendly against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Venezia striker featured in both the 2-1 win over Madagascar and the 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau across Nigeria’s September AFCON 2027 qualifier double-header.

Speaking ahead of the Russia clash, Adams delivered an honest verdict on where Eric Chelle’s side fell short in Bissau, and the two areas that must change before kick-off in Nizhny Novgorod.

Afrik-Foot highlights two things Adams wants Nigeria to fix before Russia.

2 things Akor Adams wants Nigeria to fix before Russia

1. Living up to the standards the Super Eagles have set themselves

The former Sevilla striker was open about Nigeria’s failure to produce their best performance against Guinea-Bissau.

“I think there are many factors that happened in the game, but it’s not a game we should lose, and we have to take responsibility for that,” Adams said.

“We have 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.”

The Venezia forward’s framing captures exactly the problem Chelle will have been working through in training.

Nigeria finished third at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and have since produced several standout individual qualifier performances, including the Madagascar comeback win in Uyo powered by debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

However, the Bissau display dropped well below that same ceiling and left Nigeria three points behind Guinea-Bissau in Group L.

Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium represents the first chance to reset that standard before the November qualifier window against Tanzania.

2. Taking responsibility and making corrections as a group

The second thing the 26-year-old committed to is the accountability reset the Super Eagles dressing room has already started.

“It’s a game we prepared very well for. We knew how important it was to us in the qualification phase,” Adams added.

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

Adams went further by confirming captain-level accountability was already underway inside the camp.

“The captain was pissed at us, and I can understand from his point. Many of the boys were not happy.

“They were completely devastated after coming away from a long trip without taking anything back home in an important qualification game.”

The internal reaction captures the kind of dressing-room reset Nigerian supporters have been calling for since Tuesday’s result in Bissau.

For Adams, the next step is turning that accountability into on-pitch output against Russia.

“There are still games to go, but 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 can qualify,” he said.

“But we fell short against Guinea-Bissau, and we understand better now. We will make sure we come out good.”

Russia test now the launching pad

Nigeria’s Tuesday friendly against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is the ideal platform for Chelle’s side to translate Adams’ two targets into performance.

The Super Eagles arrive in Russia with the under-23 heavy squad Chelle has built around, and Adams has backed the new faces to deliver.

“For us now, there are a lot of new boys in camp. I’m happy for them, and congratulations to those who are going to make their debut in advance,” Adams added.

“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.”

A convincing performance on Tuesday would send Nigeria into the November AFCON qualifier window with momentum, and Adams has made clear that the responsibility rests with the squad to make it happen.