Former South Africa captain Teko Modise has challenged Nigerian striker Akor Adams to improve his efficiency in front of goal to avoid losing his place in the team, SportPremi reports.
The Sevilla striker scored the Super Eagles’ second goal in their 2-0 win over Algeria in last Saturday’s quarterfinal clash at the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament, but was also guilty of wasting several goalscoring chances.
The striker has now scored in two consecutive matches in the knockout, but could have added to his tally if he was not wasteful in front of goal.
Against the Fennec Foxes on Saturday, Adams missed two glorious opportunities to score for Nigeria. For the first, he got on the end of a ball outside the box after good work from Alex Iwobi, but he blazed over when he really should have scored.
With Nigeria 2-0 up in the second half, Victor Osimhen showed great resilience to produce a cross into the box and Adams once again headed against the post despite having much space to pick his spot and he slipped on the rebound.
The Super Eagles are up against Morocco in the semifinal and must become more efficient in front of goal if they are to stand a chance of making it into the final of this year’s tournament.
What Teko Modise said about Akor Adams
South African legend Teko Modise, while speaking during an interview, hailed Adams hardworking attitude and impressive team performance for Nigeria.
However, he warned the striker to be more clinical in front of goal to avoid costing his side in coming matches.
“I think it is important because we were off the screen complaining against Algeria. “How many chances does he need?” Modise admitted.
“But also Adams as well, finding yourself in the right spaces, he works so hard, he gets the right opportunities, but then what maybe he might improve his performance from a club level perspective is being able to utilize the opportunities that he gets.
But yet again this goal is a great goal and it will take the mic off his back because of all the opportunities that he has missed,” he added, hailing the striker’s brilliant goal in the clash.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder also hailed Adams’ strike partner Osimhen for his unselfish attitude in Nigeria’s second goal of their quarterfinal win.
“Look at this man {Osimhen}, he is unselfish, as much as he is a striker that wants to be the top scorer of the tournament but realizing the ball is on his left foot, let me turn around and look for the most open man,” he said.
“But also the pass as well again from Iwobi, getting Osimhen in that right direction.”
