Posted in News, Team News on Feb 02, 2019.
“It came out of the blue,” says a delighted Daniel Akpeyi. The goalkeeper signed on Thursday a contract with Kaizer Chiefs for the duration of one year and five months, joining from Chippa United.
The vertically gifted keeper has been doing well for the Port Elizabeth-based side since coming to South Africa in 2015.
Akpeyi has played 14 times for the Nigerian national side. He was part of the team that won the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games and was a member of the Super Eagles squad that participated at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Whenever Chippa hosted Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Akpeyi was always amazed to see how the Amakhosi supporters outnumbered those of the home fans.
“It’s very motivational to see the Chiefs supporters,” the 32-year-old comments. “It drives you to do better.”
Coach Ernst Middendorp is happy with the new signing. “Akpeyi is calm and has “a physical presence”. He communicates well with his defensive line and is good in dictating tactics at the back.”
The Nigerian is not only tall, he’s good in the air, has great reflexes and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Akpeyi is also one of those goalkeepers who guides and organises his defence well.
Chiefs will face Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on Saturday, 9 February. “It’s one of the most famous derbies in the world,” Akpeyi points out. “Just to be part of that experience will be something fantastic, independent of if I play or not.”
Akpeyi played with two of his previous clubs, Heartland and Warri Wolves, in the CAF Champions League and it’s his goal to do well in future with Amakhosi in African cup competitions.
“That’s one thing I was looking for to do in South Africa, playing in the Champions League,” the goalkeeper makes clear. “Chiefs have the will and the quality to do well in Africa and I would like to contribute to do that.”
Akpeyi also has a message for the Amakhosi faithful, “I hope the supporters will support me, as that will make me stronger and bring out the best out in me.”
The vertically gifted keeper has been doing well for the Port Elizabeth-based side since coming to South Africa in 2015.
Akpeyi has played 14 times for the Nigerian national side. He was part of the team that won the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games and was a member of the Super Eagles squad that participated at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Whenever Chippa hosted Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Akpeyi was always amazed to see how the Amakhosi supporters outnumbered those of the home fans.
“It’s very motivational to see the Chiefs supporters,” the 32-year-old comments. “It drives you to do better.”
Coach Ernst Middendorp is happy with the new signing. “Akpeyi is calm and has “a physical presence”. He communicates well with his defensive line and is good in dictating tactics at the back.”
The Nigerian is not only tall, he’s good in the air, has great reflexes and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Akpeyi is also one of those goalkeepers who guides and organises his defence well.
Chiefs will face Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on Saturday, 9 February. “It’s one of the most famous derbies in the world,” Akpeyi points out. “Just to be part of that experience will be something fantastic, independent of if I play or not.”
Akpeyi played with two of his previous clubs, Heartland and Warri Wolves, in the CAF Champions League and it’s his goal to do well in future with Amakhosi in African cup competitions.
“That’s one thing I was looking for to do in South Africa, playing in the Champions League,” the goalkeeper makes clear. “Chiefs have the will and the quality to do well in Africa and I would like to contribute to do that.”
Akpeyi also has a message for the Amakhosi faithful, “I hope the supporters will support me, as that will make me stronger and bring out the best out in me.”
