Super Eagles striker Akor Adams insists Nigeria have not lost sight of their standards following the disappointing defeat to Guinea-Bissau, promising a determined response when Eric Chelle’s side face Russia in Tuesday’s international friendly.
Nigeria arrived in Nizhny Novgorod needing a lift after a difficult start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Eagles defeated Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo before suffering a 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau four days later.
Adams acknowledged that the performance in Bissau fell below expectations but stressed that the players have accepted responsibility and are already working to correct their mistakes.
“We know what the Super Eagles stand for and we know the standards that we have set for ourselves,” Adams said. “We are already making corrections.”
The Venezia forward believes Tuesday’s friendly provides an immediate opportunity to demonstrate that the setback has not changed the team’s ambitions.
Nigeria have travelled with a significantly altered squad, giving several emerging players an opportunity to impress. Adams said integrating the newcomers has been an important part of preparations as Chelle attempts to improve the overall quality and depth of his team.
The striker also understands that the friendly label will do little to reduce expectations back home.
“The coach wants us to win. We want to win and Nigerians want us to win,” Adams said. “We will go out there and give our best.”
The fixture at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium will be the second meeting between Nigeria and Russia in 16 months. Their previous encounter ended 1-1 in Moscow in June 2025.
Adams is among the more experienced attacking options retained by Chelle for the game and has already found the net for Nigeria this year, scoring in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Portugal in June.
For Adams, however, Tuesday is less about individual ambitions and more about producing a collective reaction.
The defeat in Bissau cannot be changed, but Russia offers the Super Eagles an immediate opportunity to show that one painful result has not altered what they believe the Nigerian shirt should represent.
