Kaizer Chiefs have completed a transfer deadline-day signing of Nigeria international goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi from another South African club, Chippa United.
The details of the deal were however not revealed.
According to a report on KickOff.com, Amakhosi are set to unveil the Super Eagles goalkeeper in a press conference on Thursday at the club headquarters in Naturena.
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Akpeyi is expected to replace Kaizer Chiefs reserve goalkeeper and Namibian international Virgil Vries who has come under heavy criticism for his unimpressive performance in the Chiefs’ last two games against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City.
The 33-year-old Akpeyi could make his debut for coach Ernst Middendorp’s side against Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s Soweto derby.
19 Comments
A rejected stone in his own fatherland, but a vital stone elsewhere. It’s time to forgive this guy and not just invite him to the SE to complete the numbers.
Akpeyi is being signed as a stand-in for injured South African number one goal keeper Khune who has been out with a shoulder injury since January. KC fans are not impressed with the signing, however, he is an improvement on KC number two goalkeeper Vries.
This move should put Akpeyi ahead of Ezeznwa in the National set-up as long as he does well deputising for the injured Khune
Congratulations Akpeyi more grace am sure you will do more excellent job in KC this is a big fight to finish.
What a relief!
I had been sweating at the possibility of Akpeyi – despite having conceded more than 2 goals in only one league match all season – playing in the South African division 2 next season with Chippa United currently flirting relegation in the league.
However this news of the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist being bought by Kaizer Chiefs is testament to his hard work, dedication, focus and resilience which has made him continue to be ‘relevant’ in the Super Eagles despite some national-team-career-destroying mistakes that would seen other goalkeepers being consigned to oblivion.
There is never a shortage of criticisms to come Akpeyi’s way from fans and the media (some media outlets scarcely include his exploits in their weekly roundups of Nigerian players playing abroad).
Yet,he has cemented a move that is similar to Chelsea signing a goalkeeper from Huddersfield or Cardiff city if he were in the English premier League.
The coming weeks will be interesting for the goalkeeping department of the Super Eagles.
Ezenwa appears to have confounded the predictions of myself, BigD and Dr Drey as he has managed to feature for his new club Katsina United albiet in their 2:0 away loss to Remo stars at the Oshogbo Township Stadium in Osun State.
I didn’t see the match but heard he kept well.
Uzoho has all but lost his starting slot in Elche with La Carina, according to what I read this morning, scrambling to find a new loan club for the recently-married 21 year old.
So, who will be number one? Uzoho, Ezenwa, Akpeyi or even outsiders like Alampasu (who is enjoying a new lease of life in Portugal) or Emmanuel Daniel (who recently said after joining Gombe United: “I just joined the team and i want to be part of the players that will take the team to the elite league ,through these Super 8 playoff”).
My money will still be on Uzoho; Gernot Rohr is known to stick to his favourites like Super Glue regardless of their short-term club travails.
That battle is getting more interesting by the day. The future will tell as to whom we may be seeing manning our goal at this year’s AFCON. It will be interesting to see what akpeyi can do in the colours of Kaizer chiefs…but even the fans are disappointed in the management of the club for that signing. Just log on to kickoff and you will understand their pains. Once again, the battle line is drawn and what an interesting one it will be. But as it stands now…IMHO….status quo remains.
Why are quite alot of people not looking the direction of David Nwolokor(African Gialuigi Buffon)?
Nice move
He is never a good keeper,sign there is just bussines.
If I’m talking now, they will say omo9ja has come again.
At first, I will say a huge Congratulations to Akpeyi.
However, At 33 and still struggling to be Nigeria no1 goalkeeper and this man Mr. Rohr still keeping him in his team? Too bad. Hopefully the coach will find a young talented goalie before Akpeyi turns 66 years old in the Super Eagles team.
We have 3 goalkeepers under coach Rohr but doesn’t seems like we have goalkeepers.
Still, Nigerians are expecting their team to win the 2019 Afcon? Well, impossible is nothing but if Nigeria fails to win the tournament or fail to impress us in Egypt, I will hold the coach, NFF and some of my colleagues here on CSN responsible for it.
It’s very painful seeing things happening like this. We have everything in our disposal but what is stopping the coach and NFF to do the meaningful thing, I don’t know.
Well, this is Nigeria. Anything can happen but after this year Afcon, we are going to know where we are heading to. I love my Country and I want my Country going forward not backward.
The truth is bitter. Hmmmmmm, it is well by God’s grace. God bless Nigeria!!!
Omo9ja, I think it will be nice to see your preferred first 11 (and their positions on the field of play) plus the bench and your preferred handler (coach) of the Super Eagles. The squad you confidently believe can win Afcon 2019 in Egypt.
If you think Akpeyi doesn’t deserve to be a goalkeeping choice for Nigeria, who do you think should replace him and why? Same for Rohr — who do you think should be the gaffer instead? Perhaps the NFF can pick one or two valuable ideas from your input. In fact, including fans like me too.
So please, accept this challenge and set up a healthy and robust argument/discourse. Name your ideal starting 11 for the SE and their positions on the field of play, who should be on the bench and who should be the coach, and with solid reasons. I want to be on the sidelines. I’d really be interested.
Cheers.
Oya…Omo9ja, Over to you….!
@Kel, I will be eager to read Omo9ja’s responses to your questions as I feel there is a message drowned somewhere in his contributions that could hold some wisdom.
In fact, I posed similar questions to him some days ago (see below) so as to put his contributions in perspective. I am yet to receive his formal response.
My questions to Omo9ja:
deo 3 days ago
Omo9ja, can you do me a favour? Please tell me:
-What does Rohr have to do to convince you that – all other things being – he can ‘win’ the Africa Cup of Nations?
-Is the answer sacking Rohr with immediate effect?
-If the answer to the previous question is yes, who (apart from Siasia) do you honestly believe can ‘win’ the Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria?
-Should Ighalo and Akpeyi be both dropped altogether from the squad?
-If the answer to the last question is yes, do you truly believe they have nothing to offer the national team moving forward?
-Why do you think Rohr is racist?
-Apart from Ighalo and Akpeyi, can you please list the other players you would not want to see any longer in the Super Eagles?
-Can you please name me the ultimate starting 11 that you believe will definitely ‘win’ the Cup of Nations if you were in charge?
-Can you please name other players who you believe should be in the squad but presently being unfairly marginalized?
-Do you think the administration of Amaju Pinnick is doing a good job?
-If not, what are your recommendations for the NFF to do better?
-What part do you think fans should play in ensuring that the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations?
Omo9ja, I think you have a genuine message to convey and should you answer these questions, it will go a long way in helping me understand you better on this matter.
Cheers
@Kel, thank you so much for asking me to name my squad, coach and their positions on the pitch of play.
I’m really good at this as you know. It shall be well with you my man. I can go ahead and make 3 squads for you that will comprises young stars that will rule in Africa and at the global stage but sorry, I have bn mentioning names for so so long and I have decided not to called any name or squad anymore.
This is the promise I made myself on this forum before now if you still remembered because I am tired of working so hard by searching players for the coach but he never listening to me or any of you guys.
What has bn the outcome of what we have bn discussing here before the world cup, during the world cup and after the world cup leading to the Afcon 2019?
Come on Kel, less than 5 months to the kickoff, Nigerians are scared and none of you guys can say it confidently that we are winning this year Afcon? So, what is the purpose of answering your questions Kel?
This is a big shame. We are not Togolese, Benin. We are Nigerians. Giant of Africa for what?
Sorry once again sir Kel, I’m going to disappoint you because you knew that I can give you more than what you asked from me but Mba, I have bn in the game for a while and I have done that before but not anyone.
During the era of coach Onigbinde, Christian Chukwu, Keshi, Siasia and so on, I think I did my best to bring the best out of them all in a positive way including Coach Rohr and Ighalo.
I think you guys should celebrate me for once. Am I not deserves an accolade? Fingers crossed. God bless Nigeria!!!
@Omo9ja
It seems you’ve chickened out of the challenge. Your excuses are not tenable. They are evasive. You’re just trying to wriggle yourself out of a tight corner in a very unmanly and dishonourable way. What are we fellow forumites to make of your complaints if you can’t proffer a simple suggestion to the team composition? Come on, we’ve five months to AFCON. Are you a professional gadfly or in Naija parlance, you just have bad belly, and a raging envy (of Ighalo, Rohr, Izoho etc etc)?
Hahahhahaha…just to name only in best eleven naim e nearly write one whole chapter of book…! LMAO. Empty barrels make the loudest noise my brother.
At least he respected himself and looked for an excuse to chicken out….unlike his younger brother chima who named a ‘world class squad of 2 goalkeepers who had been inactive for 2 years over one that has earned 2 MVP nominations in spain,a defender who isnt even eligible to play for nigeria and a striker that scores an average of 2 league goals per season…..LOLZ. Even his igbekeme that he comes here to rant about, he wasnt even confident to name him in his starting XI, which only indicates how lowly rated the dude is. LOLZ. The rest on his list were the same ones he comes here regularly to insults and rain abuses on o…..LMAO
.
“I can go ahead and make 3 squads for you that will comprises young stars that will rule in Africa and at the global stage”……………..this really got me reeling with laughter. I hope the 3 squads of yongsters will be apart form the 30 confirmed SE team we already know. LOLZ
.
Really, i dont know what some of these dudes drink before coming to type on CSN. lolz
I didn’t know that Deo. I am deeply sorry. So, Deo already asked me some questions three days ago and now Kel?
Your questions wasn’t bad Deo but you can check my replies up there. Please guys, do not hesitate to ask me questions and I promise to replying you all directly or indirectly based on the questions bn asked. Its simply means first come first serve.
So you guys are coming out in numbers? No wahala, my people lend me your ears please.
It’s quite unfortunate that I’m so busy coming online but once in a while like this is good.
However, my people, no time to check time 5 months to go and we are in doubt if Super Eagles will make us proud in Egypt or not and you guys doesn’t want me to talk because of your coach and the players you love most are in the Super Eagles team? Don’t be deceived by that my people.
Hmmm, how long you guys wanted to do this for?
Please put the interest of your Country first and fear of God in mind and let rebuild our beloved team Super Eagles. The pride of African.
You guys should please learn from the past and stop making the same mistakes over and over again. A word is enough for the wise. It’s time to think my people. France were one of the most youngest team in Russia but today world champion. Please think my people. God bless us all. God bless Nigeria!!!
Thanks Omo9ja.
As you didn’t tackle my questions head on, I will try to answer them myself based on deductions from your contributions.
1) What does Rohr have to do to convince you that – all other things being – he can ‘win’ the Africa Cup of Nations?
Answer: instantly drop the likes of Uzoho, Akpeyi and Ighalo for players yet to be tried-and-tested in international football. Also to start playing, what you only see, as entertaining football despite the fact that his brand of football has qualified us for 2 tournaments with games to spare.
2) Is the answer sacking Rohr with immediate effect?
Answer: Yes; to be replaced with a consortium of local coaches headed by Sampson Siasia.
3) If the answer to the previous question is yes, who (apart from Siasia) do you honestly believe can ‘win’ the Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria?
Answer: A consortium of local coaches.
4) Should Ighalo and Akpeyi be both dropped altogether from the squad?
Answer: without a doubt! Yes!
5) If the answer to the last question is yes, do you truly believe they have nothing to offer the national team moving forward?
Answer: absolutely yes.
6) Why do you think Rohr is racist?
Answer: Because he goes about convincing too many average “oyinbos” players to play for Nigeria when we have better talents in Ajegunle and Agege.
7) Apart from Ighalo and Akpeyi, can you please list the other players you would not want to see any longer in the Super Eagles?
Answer: most of the players that featured in the ill-fated matchs against Croatia and Argentina in Russia are to be dropped with immediate effect.
8) Can you please name me the ultimate starting 11 that you believe will definitely ‘win’ the Cup of Nations if you were in charge?
Answer: Check the streets of Ajegunle and Agege and you will see much prospects. Also, the NPFL and Under aged national teams have better players than Ighalo and co.
9) Can you please name other players who you believe should be in the squad but presently being unfairly marginalized?
Answer: home-based players and some Nigeria-born players abroad.
10) Do you think the administration of Amaju Pinnick is doing a good job?
Answer: not entirely.
11) If not, what are your recommendations for the NFF to do better?
Answer: hire local coaches for the Super Eagles and Falcons with immediate effect.
12) What part do you think fans should play in ensuring that the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations?
Answer: fans should not settle for less! Praising the likes of Rohr, Akpeyi, Uzoho, Ighalo etc is “settling for less” and “not acting in national interest”
Hmmm, Omo9ja, I’m trying to piece together the basis of your argument; but deo has done some justice to it. But I think it would have been better to articulate your arguments well and distill them into bullet points. That way, we get the meat of your grouse with Rohr or NFF.
Be that as it may, Rohr to me seems to be doing a good job and bases his selections on merit. Yet, he’s always searching, still on the lookout for something better. If there are some Nigerian prodigious football talents out there, just start ringing the alarms here, I’m sure he and the NFF crew will take notice at some point, like they did with Simy Nwankwo.
Let’s support Rohr. He may not be a Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola, but he definitely in my view is the best we can have at the moment. He may not have arrived Nigeria with a big profile, but his stock has certainly risen since he took charge of the SE (many African countries including Algeria want him now, but he’s sticking with Nigeria). But it’s good to have passionate forumites like you to air their views. I’m sure Rohr, the players, the NFF and other fans are reading.
Bless.
Summary of findings:
Omo9ja, from what I can see, you appear to be a nationalist who believes more in local coaches with preference for local-born/local-based players more so as a foreign coach with his foreign born and “young team” let you down badly in Russia.
You also value what you see as an attractive brand of football that you can relate with and buy into. You are not willing to sacrifice this requirement for the sake of qualifying for tournaments with games to spare.
To you, Rohr is a failure, full stop. With him in charge Nigeria will only do 2 things in Egypt: 1) play an unattractive Brand of football 2) crash out in calamitous circumstances.
For you, Players like Akpeyi and Ighalo have nothing to offer and are to be instantly dropped. Uzoho is one for the future.
In short, the NFF should do the right thing and sack Rohr now with fans firmly behind this decision.