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Eagles Roundup: Akpeyi Stars In Kaizer Chiefs’ Home Win Vs Sundowns; Okereke Rescues Club Brugge

Eagles Roundup: Akpeyi Stars In Kaizer Chiefs’ Home Win Vs Sundowns;  Okereke Rescues Club  Brugge

 

Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi put up a fine performance as Kaizer Chiefs recorded a 2-0 away win against Mamelodi Sundowns in their ABSA Premier League clash on Sunday, reports Completesports.com.

Akpeyi frustrated the hosts, making a number of important saves in the thrilling encounter.

It was his seventh league appearance of the season for the Amakhosi.

Samir Nurkovic scored both goals for Kaizer Chiefs in the game.

In Belgium, David Okereke netted the equalising goal in Club Brugge’s 1-1 home draw against Standard Leige.

Okereke who was on for the entire duration of the game, scored two minutes after the break.

The 22-year-old has scored four goals in 10 league appearances for the club this season.

His international teammate, Emmanuel Dennis was unused substitute for Brugge in the game.

In a LaLiga game, Ramon Azeez featured for 90 minutes as Granada beat Real Betis 1-0 at home.

Azeez has featured eight times for Granada this season and scored two times.

William Troost- Ekong was unable to prevent Udinese from going down to a 7-1 defeat against Atalanta in their Serie A clash.

In another Serie A game, Ola Aina played for 79 minutes in Torino’s 1-1 home draw against Cagliari.

Aina was replaced by Diego Laxalt 11 minutes from time.

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 58
  • Asoko Emmanuel 4 years ago

    Again I say the stone rejected by the builder now becoming the chief corner stone.Apkeyi is merely a victim of circumstance who is not appreciated for the difficult things he makes simple but condemned for his excessive display of dimeanours.Meanwhile a man cannot be judged by his demeanour, that will amount to judging him without a display of his actions and prowess.The only blunder ever made by Akpeyi in the SE colours was that against Argentina prior to the world cup 2018, where he picked the ball outside the 18yard, that to me was primary school error,but yet not enough to condemn him entirely.Again if Akpeyi was that bad Chiefs will not take him in as replacement for the ever present Khune when he became injured.They must have seen something about him.
    If Coutoir were to be a Nigerian,he will be castigated and condemn and even axed from the team due to his dismal performance over time in Real Madril.Infact,Coutoir is more error prone than Akpeyi,check ur stats.Our attitude towards our sport people is very unfair.Uzoho was almost crucified and that cost him his place in the Afcorn cos of the error against Seychelles,and I was like Man-united keeper has made worst errors such as was at the world cup 2018,where Spain was unceremoniously eliminated from the group stage.
    All I ask is patience with our sport men cos as humans they are fallible.

    • Ikeben 4 years ago

      My same thoughts. If not for Rohr, the likes of Ighalo would have been axed from the SE, immediately after the world cup. Even Miss would have also been axed since because we Nigerian fans and coaches are not patient with their players. That is why Oyibo coaches always have better results.

      • Ikeben 4 years ago

        * correction* Even Musa

      • Asoko and Ikeben, I associate myself with your sentiments above.

        It’s a pity that Akpeyi’s demeanour and lack of ‘camera-friendly goalkeeper swagger’ let him down severally.

        Add to that are the odd needless mistakes that he makes and you have a goalkeeper who doesn’t instil any confidence in the eyes of Super Eagles supporters.

        But with Akpeyi you know what you will get: quality goalkeeping with some occasional moments of craziness.

        Unfortunately, many Super Eagles supporters are not willing to stomach those occasional moments of craziness which leads them to see NOTHING good about Akpeyi’s brand of goalkeeping.

        What a shame!

        • Omo9ja 4 years ago

          I’m highly disappointed in you Deo. How would you say that?

          Akpeyi? No no no period.

          Please let him be. So, you haven’t seen anything good in Okoye?

          If Oga refused to let Okoye man the post in Afcon qualifiers, that means we need a new coach.

          For me omo9ja, I preferred Jo Bonfrere to coach Rohr.

          During jo’s era, we ruled the world.

          What we have now is bend down and select coaching crew lol.

          I will blame NFF for this though.

          Akpeyi should stay where he is. We need fresh blood.

          Oga Rohr should sit tight too. Otherwise, hmm…. still early to talk. God bless Nigeria!!!

          • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

            “…During Jo’s era, we ruled the world…”

            Oga, we are not talking underaged football here….we are talking senior national team football.

            During bonfrere Jo’s era, we didnt rule Africa and couldn’t even qualify for WC.

            Teams like Liberia and Sierra Leone were using us to dream of playing at the WC.

            The same Bonfrere Jo took us to 2000 Olympics and we got humiliated by the likes of Honduras and Chile.

  • Chairmanfemi 4 years ago

    Even if Akpeyi saves RONALDO AND MESSI’s penalty, He should never…ever near the Super Eagles team again. Infact, I thought he would humble himself by Retiring from the National team after AFCON. He wouldn’t have been in the news if not for CSN that am beginning to suspect have taken bribe from him to sell his market. The same way CSN did for Babatunde en route AFCON 2019. Now they’ve started again!

    Abeg CSN, Bad news no go enter una company oo..Just stop reporting about this Akpere(Basket) of a Keeper! If una no get any other news again, FIFA U-17 WC is on. You guys can get news from there

    • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

      “….He should never…ever near the Super Eagles team again…..”

      If he does go and shoot him….!

      You didnt tell us it is now your prerogative to determine who and who near the SE….Lolz

      • Chairmanfemi 4 years ago

        This guy@Drey thinks am picking up fight with him on this forum like his jobless fellows…lolz. Na wa o. Yeye dey smell…Abeg shift

        • Ashy Slashy 4 years ago

          No mind am Chairmanfemi.
          Na you be him new enemy. E don fight footballfanatic, Chima, Simon, omo9ja , Ige Abo tire…..
          Now e go talk say all of una be me.
          Yeye dey smell, make I comot from this domot.

          • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

            Hehehehe…..Ashy Slashy has surfaced…LMAO…!!!

          • Omo9ja 4 years ago

            This Dr. Drey is Eshulalu ogiri oko on this forum lol.

            You are similar to Kola USA back then on kickoffnig.com

            Hmmm,troublesome. It is well. God bless Nigeria!!!

          • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

            Hahahaha…..@Omo9ja….U don kill me o. Esu laalu ogiri oko…..o gbe’nu ibu f’eje we…LMAO

            I take that as a compliment.

        • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

          Of course, its people like you and your uncouth fellows who have nothing to offer that I pick fights with. People who cannot sustain an intelligent conversation and cant stand being defeated with superior logical discourse.

          Have you even seen any banters between yours sincerely and respected learnered lords like sirs Deo, Hush, BigD, Greenturf, Pompei…..and others (just to mention a few)….??? Lolz

    • Glory 4 years ago

      Loooolzzz ..

  • Sunnyb 4 years ago

    The Guy is too old, he should go fix his eyes looking like an albino during set pieces, we don’t need him anymore, he lacks confidence, the dude is not inspiring, he doesn’t communicate well with his defenders, he please stay in South Africa, he should just be careful of xenophobia attacks.

  • Samchi 4 years ago

    Akpeyi lacks that Goalkeeper’s swagger and Jingger is not about the saves or reflex aspect alone, any goalkeeper can concede goals for sure but he got to that body language of a PRO, something boys like maduka and Uzoho are doing with ease_ people are already saying maduka is good even when the Brazilians didn’t really Test him much, but the man stood between the like one willing to take on any shots heading his way _Even though it wasn’t a guarantee one or two wouldn’t gonna go past Him_

    • Samchi 4 years ago

      Sorry o typo

      **got to have
      **between the sticks
      **wouldn’t go past

  • I thank God for u Mr akpabasket sorry to say akpeyi pls remain there in ur club and continue saving them ok abeg my bro,but for our super eagles don’t near our Jessy again pls,may God continue to straighten u to be saving them,allow uzoho and others to be saving us,

  • A Super Eagles fan wrote something on Facebook which I find quite interesting.

    He wrote :

    “BOILING POINT…

    AKPEYI vs AKPEYI

    Recently, I have come to know two Akpeyis; the one in the Kaizer Chiefs jersey and the one that wears the Green and White of Nigeria.
    People have strongly criticised the Nigeria’s Akpeyi but the Kaizer Chiefs’s Akpeyi has gotten rave reviews, applauds and encomiums.
    The Akpeyi I saw today against Mamelodi Sundowns in a game-of-the-week PSL match was world class; he kept a clean sheet! He was calm, cool and calculated. He did his job with finesse and panache.
    But the big question: What happened to the Nigeria’s Akpeyi? Why the jittery and panicky performances from him?
    It’s time to proffer solution. The Akpeyi that I saw today is one of the best shot stoppers in Africa.
    Should he be recalled to the eagles again?
    Yeah or nay???

    Have your say…

    #BoilingPoint
    #DanielAkpeyi
    #YeahOrNay”.

    • Mr Hush 4 years ago

      ” every dog has his day”

      Everyone would have their view on Akpeyi but I am sure Most views would swing to the negative.
      There are class of keepers who always manage to do well for their clubside but fail at the international stage. Robert Green, Robinson, Carson ,David James all for England; Butt for Germany, Trudeau for France,Canizeres for Spain; all were great keepers by right ,for their clubsides but failed to create the same impression at the international stage.
      I think Akpeyi fall under this category.
      There are players that are not really suited for the international stage mainly because the stakes are higher.It is all psychological. It really has nothing to with their ability. Most on this list are good keepers. But they always seem to develop this stage fright while playing for their countries. Just because they are overwhelmed by emotions to prove their worth and serve right but tend to overdo it or lose it completely. Sometimes,they make some great saves to show their worth,but their fear always overwhelm them at the end.
      With such lack of mental strength,it is always best to keep them aside from the national team and look for those that are mentally and physically ready to do well.it is taking nothing from their ability,but the national team isn’t a place for try and errors.There simply isn’t the space for that.

      So my point is. Akpeyi has served us well. He has been to the world cup and has won Afcon bronze,being number one for one of the best national teams in the continent; he has already done it all.so he should be excused from the Super Eagles and continue to enjoy his clubside. He is doing well.

      • Mr Hush,

        It remains his perogative whether and when he resigns from national duties.

        Good thing is that goalkeepers actually get better with age.

        Countries like England and Egypt have taken goalkeepers to major tournaments who are in their 40s,so,no rush for Akpeyi to resign.

        The good thing is that, apart from the misunderstanding in the Argerntina friendly which led to the first goal, Akpeyi scarcely disappoints in Nigeria colours.

        He had a decent Afrcon tournament where he kept 2 clean sheets and made some breath-taking saves whilst growing from strength to strength in his club afterwards.

        Akpeyi is available for selection and at the coach’s discretion, he could be invited for upcoming Super Eagles assignments.

        And, on the back of his recent performances, there is no logical reason to criticise the coach if he extends an invitation to a goalkeeper clearly on fire!!!

        • Mr Hush 4 years ago

          @Deo
          Off course , it is up to Akpeyi to keep playing for the Super Eagles or not, he hasn’t resigned yet. If the coach feels he still needs him..good for him.
          But would I be comfortable with Akpeyi in goal for Nigeria. NO. He hasn’t given me that confidence based on his precedence with the national team.
          Yes he has kept some clean sheets, done some “match saving” saves but at the same time, he hasn’t been commanding enough to be Eagles number one. Arguably, most thought he was our weakest link at the last Afcon, and for good reason so.
          Yes, keepers get better with age but I can’t stick to a keeper who I have less confidence in,not to the exception to younger ones that have shown they are comfortable between the sticks.
          I know I have no say on running the national team and the gaffer would make his call; but I do have my say as a Super Eagles fan,lover of football and more importantly, a Nigerian; I am not for Akpeyi coming back to the national team. Yes.He has my support for doing us proud in SA, but we need better hands in the national team. We are building a new team,with all due respect; Akpeyi is past.

          Just my opinion…

  • Mr Hush,

    _STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE_

    I absolutely respect your opinion; trust me I do. I just feel that the dislike for Akpeyi is consistent with prioritising style over substance.

    The truth is: not every player will be my cup of tea or your cup of tea. Not because these players are necessarily poor, but just because they don’t ‘float our boats’ for whatever reason.

    Akpeyi, quite clearly does not float your boat and I respect that. But what do we know about this goalkeeper?

    – Nigeria has won 10 out of 14 matches which Akpeyi has kept.
    – Nigeria has not conceded more than 2 goals in any match that Akpeyi has kept.
    – Nigeria kept clean sheets in the first 2 matches in this Afcon due to some Akpeyi saves.
    – Akpeyi came to the rescue of Nigeria early in the match against Algeria after Omeruo had fluffed his lines.
    – Akpeyi did quite well in the Nigeria Professional League and has followed this up with world class performances in South Africa.

    Now, these are objective facts (totally devoid of emotional input).

    To then say a goalkeeper of this credentials, this timber and calibre is worthy of keeping for Nigeria, or else is?

    The only knock-back for Akpeyi is his lack of style. He looks jittery, ill-composed and not overly assured.

    But, that takes nothing (nothing) away from his goalkeeping abilities or enviable records (and recent acclaim in South Africa).

    Akpeyi may not have the style, but he sure has the substance (in abundance for that matter)

    • Plus, Akpeyi has kept 4 clean sheets with nigeria: that is roughly 1 clean sheet per 3 games (rounded up).

      Also, he only concede more than 1 goal in 3 Super Eagles matches.

      These are eye-popping goalkeeping credentials.

      • Mr Hush 4 years ago

        @deo

        You rightly nailed it by stating that we would definitely have different opinions on a player.

        I agree with you Akpeyi has got substance. His experience is one for sure. He has some clean saves for club and country. For one, he did good against Burundi.
        But that’s that.

        You stated it all when you said;
        “The only knock back for Akpeyi is his lack of style.He looks jittery, ill-composed and not overly assured.”

        Exactly my point.
        Why should I trust such to be my number one when he isn’t even compose enough to trust his own ability?!

        I dear say,like I have stated before, Akpeyi has got the ability as a shot stopper. He got quick impause to make vital saves. But his lack of composure can cost you games.which happened against Algeria. By standing behind a wall he set himself thereby blocking his vision to the ball and far away to the angle that would be easiest to make a save.

        Yes. He has kept so many clean sheets. But a keeper is as good as his defence. Akpeyi can’t take all the glory for a good defensive shield.

        I am not one against his ability. I believe he is a decent keeper.
        But borrowing your term; we need a keeper with both substance and style. This is the new Super Eagles we should be clamouring for. Where style,grit and substance comes to bare. Nothing less.
        It is pain.but it is pain that is worth it….

  • Mr Hush,

    Guess what I did when I read your contribution? I stood up and clapped.

    Your submission is very well rounded.

    Left to me, I would like to see Maduka Okoye man the post in the next assignments because the young man might just prove to have style and substance.

    Akpeyi is good ; an excellent shot stopper as you say. But his demeanour does not endear him to many Super Eagles supporters (which is rather unfortunate).

    What I just want to make clear is that, when it comes to pure goalkeeper skills, Akpeyi is good.

    But, your contribution encapsulates it all in that we now live in an age where style is as important as substance (sometimes, you can even get away with 60% style and 40% substance ; people will not like you if you have 60% substance and 40% style. They will say you are too dull even though you know what you are doing).

    Sad really……

    • Mr Hush 4 years ago

      @deo

      Much respect to you.

      Glad we can both agree on the fact that though Akpeyi skill set is good,it is best we look forward to a new much rounded keeper.

      It is great for Akpeyi that he is getting wave reviews again. He should keep doing what he knows how to do best. he always has our respect.

  • Pompei 4 years ago

    A goalkeeper whose presence in goal scares the hell out of everybody. When he’s in goal for us, and an opponent’s attack is nearing our 18, I find myself involuntarily closing my eyes. Tension and blood pressure rising rapidly. And he can be so absent minded at times. Is it stage-fright, or is he just not up to speed? Because the fact is international football is usually much more difficult than club football. It’s just a different ball game, so perhaps club football is more suitable to him. We have seen enough blunders in the Nigeria jersey to know that we need to look for other safer hands to man our goal post. We wish the Akpeyesque one well in his club endeavors. And we appreciate his past service. But now, let the Uzohos, Okoyes and Osigwes continue where he left off!
    N.B. – If he continues to consistently produce top notch performances, and is not just a one-hit-wonder, then I might be open to giving him another chance.

  • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

    Love him or loathe him….akpeyi mounts the posts in November against Benin and Lesotho. If not for anything else, but for his new found form.

    Fortunately or unfortunately, we have found ourselves in this situation…..High flying Uzoho is out for at least 6 months, Ezenwa is still not playing any serious football in the domestic league, Okoye is still largely untested for us to thrust him into crucial double header qualifiers, Afelokhai may still be suffering from the emotional toture of Togolese home based strikers…..to now go and line him up against Beninoise Europe based strikers may be suicidal.

    Who else…yea…the much clamored for Alampasu is still probably training with his grassroots team in Badagry (after turning down an offer from Enyimba a few weeks ago).

    Though not a popular choice, but i’ll me extremely surprised if Daniel doesnt headline the list of invitees for the November 2019 international break.

  • Chris 4 years ago

    Chaiii, 1st time I will read comment between @Deo and @Hush, as if say them dey Football TV Show. So interesting, the exchange of ideas like prompt delivery and flow to the topic.
    See how both maturity and respect agreed to disagree then disagreed to agree at the end.
    PLEASE, @DEO AND @HUSH remain at the opposite sides of all the good CSN topics for the sake of the game. I just need to be entertained…in PEACE!

    • Mr Hush 4 years ago

      @Chris

      Lol.. Nice one..

      Would always expect to read everyone’s view on issues. Criticise when necessary and give opinions which could be beneficial to us at the long run.
      All for the love of the game and country..

      Much respect

  • Ololo 4 years ago

    The akpeyi case is a tough one.. He is unarguable the hottest goal keeper in South Africa right now and on form and considering we have very important matches in November we don’t need to gamble with maduka okoye, he looks good but lacks the necessary exposure

    It won’t still be a bad idea if rohn decides to trust him( okoye) against Benin and Lesotho but that come at a risk and many would blame rohn if it’s fails..

    My opinion invite akpeyi and give him this last chance something tells me mother luck is on his side thus time.. How can uzoho gets injured and around same time akpeyi stars performing wonders in South African, he has proved his doubters wrong in South Africa maybe it’s time to prove to Nigerians we are wrong for doubting his ability.. Invite him rohn we don’t have an option

  • Ololo 4 years ago

    The list for matches against Benin and Lesotho would be out soonest, latest by next week.. One questions that comes to mind is who replaces oshimen. The boy is injured and might not make the list.. Who can we call to replace him amongst onuachu, olayinka or else would it be iheanacho, or akpom..

    • Thanks Charles for the shout out above.

      Ololo – I think naturally, Sadiq Umar will be a like for like replacement for Osimhen.

      He has similar number of goals (8 across the league and in Europe).

      The stars are starting to align for Sadiq Umar and replacing Osimhen for him will almost be like replacing like for like.

      • Pompei 4 years ago

        Agreed. Based on current form, Sadiq should be able to do for us what Osimhen would have done.

        • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

          While I fancy Sadiq replacing Osimhen based on his current form and the numbers he has racked up this season, the issue of how quickly he can establish chemistry with the rest of the team, especially the forward line will be a huge draw back.

          I dont think he has played with any member of the current eagles set up before, maybe apart from Troost Ekong, neither has he played under G. Rohr before…so how much of the coach’s philosophy does he know, how much of him does the rest of the team know, especially his partners upfront, and how much of the rest of his partners does he know…and how quickly he can do all these to translate to impeccable matchday performance, for a 1st time in the SE are huge doubts ?

          Even though we might be playing “just” Benin and Lesotho, we shouldn’t also forget in a hurry that we got humiliated recently by “just” Togo…not once but twice in crucial qualifiers. Both matches in November too will be as crucial as crucial matches come and it wouldn’t be wise to use them as experiments….recall we almost experimented our 2004 AFCON ticket away against Angola in Benin in the year 2003 when we used the match to experiment with new players like Osaze Odemwingie and Uche Kalu. We barely managed to pull a 2-2 draw with one ‘abracadabric’ penalty awarded to us towards the end of the game. I could recall the late Taiwo Ogunjobi (then NFA Sec. Gen.) almost fainted in the stands.

          As if we hadn’t learnt our lessons, we also ‘experimented’ with the same Angola at the beginning of the 2006 WCQ and we never recovered from that false start till the end of that qualifying series, ultimately missing out of the Germany 2006 party.

          That said, there is one striker whom we arent talking much about at the moment, that fits the bill at a time like this. One who has been a part of the team, one who has played under the coach, one who has been fantastic and hasnt put a foot wrong in the few games he has played so far for the SE, one whose numbers this season too hasnt be in anyway underwhlming….SIMY NWANKWO.

          I dont know why the young man has been frozen out of the team for so long, I hope its not for non footballing reasons…..But para mia, the chap is too invaluable to ignore at a time like this.

          • Ololo 4 years ago

            Dr drey.. I have been one of your fans who always enjoy reading your write-up here but on simy nwankwo I totally disagree.

            He is not doubt a good football but why have simy and onuchua in the Team at the same time, they have similar playing pattern . Dr drey with your knowledge of football I think you should know either of the two should drop for each other.. Why have onuacha and simy in same team, why not go for Antony nwankeme.
            He has the igahlo ruggedness but he is not the striker for the future, this shows how important oshiman has become for the eagles.
            Another player I would love to see is maja he is a good stiker too but he would need time to gel with the team

          • Patrator 4 years ago

            @Drey

            You’re pretty right considering the chemistry between Sadiq and team members but in my opinion, team chemistry is very paramount when we talk about defenders and midfielders. I won’t underestimate the synergy between the striker and the ones at the flanks or behind him but I think Sadiq is an enthusiastic player who is always willing to impress. Considering his abilities, he deserves a fair chance I think.

            Indeed, we haven’t really seen the stuffs Okoye is made of but I want to believe every athlete starts from somewhere. Akpeyi is currently making waves and that’s not surprising because only a blind man wouldn’t have noticed Akpeyi skills before now. But this guy lacks the ability to instill fear in oppositions, knowing he’s error prone and we the fan’s mind aren’t always at rest whenever the ball approaches him. Even though the selection of Akpeyi into SE in the coming matches is completely out of my reach , it’s a NO from me.

        • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

          @ Ololo

          I quite agree with you on Paul and Simy having similar patters, both physically and technically. However, Onuachu hasnt done a yeoman’s job given the opportunities he’s had with the team. I dont know if its the weight of the national team jersey that is creating such a psychological burden for him, but for a player of his height (above 2m) is hold up play is horrific….his 1st touch and ball control is like when a ball hits a trampoline…..he doesnt give us an outlet when we are under pressure and the few times he has been introduced to help us peg back opposing defenses (Against Guinea at AFCON & in the recent friendlies) and relief our midfield off some pressure has failed colossally. Against Burundi at AFCON, he didnt create any anxious moment and was pocketed for the entirety of the match by the burundian defense.

          Simy on the other hand has hardly put a foot wrong in the few matches he has played in the SE. Both aerially and on the ground, he has been a handful for defenses, and has a near excellent hold up play which allows the rest of the attacking players to advance into position. His link up play too is quite good and he uses his physical attributes to help the team, better than Onuachu does…..sometimes I even fear Onuachu will get blown away by the breeze in the stadium….thats how languid he looks on in the SE shirt most times.

          Nwakaeme is currently out of the picture @ 31 years old, relatively new to the team (played just the match against Algeria 2 years ago) and didnt do enough justice to that Target man role when he had the chance.

          • Nwakaeme is not a target man though. He plays almost exclusively on the left wing. And regarding him “fluffing his chance two years ago”, but then so did a certain Victor Osimhen. Both players are different beasts today.

            Sadiq Umar is still eligible for the under 23s and on current form I wonder how Taiwo Awoniyi got the nod ahead of him. When you look at both their stats side by side the difference is as clear as night and day. And Okereke misses out on the party again?

            For the Super Eagles, however, I’ll throw two other “Super Eagles old boys” in the mix. Junior Ajayi and Olanrewaju Kayode. Both deserving of a chance. OK is beset with disciplinary issues, two red cards so far this season have limited him to 5 matches so far which he has scored 4 goals and one assist. JA on the other hand has two goals and one assist in 3 games but when you look at his consistency, you’ll find a potent striker.

    • Pompei 4 years ago

      I actually like Simy Nwankwo’s languid style. He performed creditably well for us the few times he was called upon, and is unfortunate not to have opened his goal account yet. A much more confident and skillful striker than Onuachu. However, at the moment, Sadiq is definitely worth a look. The guy has been displaying the kind of HUNGER and DESIRE that I like to see in strikers. He’s always asking for the ball, always on the move, keeps the ball well, is good with his back to goal, and contests for the ball aggressively when he doesn’t have it. I’ve seen him dispossess many defenders in their vital area because of his aggressively charging at them for the ball. He is comfortable with both feet, and deadly in the air. In fact, he will be a real handful for most defenses, and the ruggedness of African football is right up his alley! Contrast this with Simy Nwankwo, who has the technical skills to excel against European or South American opposition, but may struggle with the physicality of African opposition. Anyway, coach Rohr, this headache is yours to bear.

  • People have want apkeyi back for injured Uzoho should pls give the same support to Onuachu in Osimhen’s absence..
    Because to me..their situation looks the same.
    They perform better on club duties

  • Greenturf 4 years ago

    Akpeyi as it’s now is our number 1 based on form and experience .
    Certainly,ostracised from the team after the late goal against Algeria,which sadly,sent the super eagles out of contention for the ultimate prize in Egypt and understandably broke the heart of super eagles fans around the globe.That defeat is still fresh in the minds of the coaching crew and the fans.Sadly,the goaltender is paying the ultimate prize of a costly defeat,unfortunately not entirely his fault.
    However,looking at things broadly,we could gain a lot by having this veteran goalkeeper between the sticks in our coming games against Benin and Lesotho respectively.
    Some of my arguments relates to the gains of the African nations cup which obviously,the experience garnered from such a huge tournament where he kept goal to the later stages would have added profoundly to his wealth of experience and confidence going forward,which obviously,will come good with the super eagles in their future games.
    However,his fine performances lately for club came handy after the nations cup where he was a surprise pick to start games ahead of his more celebrated compatriots.I would say he had a good tournament an improvement from his previous games and has even got better after the competition.Kaiser chiefs are the beneficiaries from the benefactor Daniel Akpeyi.
    It’s left if the super eagles too would tap from the experience of this in form veteran or gamble with inexperienced goalminder Okoye who comes with a lot of uncertainties going into the next FIFA windows.

    • Very well written Greenturf. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your piece above.

      Another contributor who writes such deliciously digestible comments is Abah Fada. I really miss his contributions.

      Cheers.

      Deo.

    • Pompei 4 years ago

      Greenturf,

      Your point of view is valid. Akpeyi is playing well at a time when we have a paucity of experienced goalkeeping talent. You noted that playing Okoye comes with a lot of uncertainties, which is true. However, Okoye has to start from somewhere. In the 2002 world cup, a young ENYEAMA was given his international bow against a dangerous England. How crazy is that! His first international was a world cup game against one of the football elite in the world back then. He performed well, and the rest is history. If Rohr decides to give Okoye his chance, I believe he will get the job done. Okoye already showed us what he can do against Brazil. And although only 20 yrs of age, his demeanor is a lot steadier. I had no tension whatsoever against Brazil when Okoye was in goal. Can’t say the same would have applied if Akpeyi was there. Agreed, to use Okoye would be a gamble. But to me, going back to error prone, absent minded, stage fright stricken Akpeyi, club form notwithstanding, is also a big gamble. I would rather gamble with a young, supremely confident goalkeeper now, with the hope that he grows in confidence and garners much needed experience for the future.

      • Dr. Drey 4 years ago

        Biko @ Pompei…Mmaka Chukwu dont gamble our AFCON ticket away o…! Lolz

        These November qualifiers are more crucial than that dead-rubber against England in 2002 which held no consequence…..We were already out of the WC and England were already through to the next round before the game irrespective of whatever happened in the Argentina vs Sweden game so the ground was really fertile for gambling.

        The only shot at goal in Okoye’s 21 minute debut was scuffed narrowly wide by ‘Gabi’gol’ with Okoye completely beaten, same as that 89th minute goal line clearance by Semi Ajayi from Coutinho’s would-have-been tap-in with Okoye firmly rooted to the spot like the Iroko tree in the village square.

        The only balls Okoye caught were harmless aerial plays which he playfully plucked from the air like ripe agbalumo from its tree. The boy is still LARGELY untested (even at club level) for us to thrust him into competitive qualifiers.

        Meanwhile the England match was Enyeama’s 3rd in SE colours. He earned is debut in a friendly against Kenya in Lagos (that game that was played while late Ishaya Mark Aku was breathing his last after his plane crashed in Jos) in 2002. His 2nd was against Kashima Antlers another friendly in Japan, few days before the commencement of the 2002 WC.

        • Pompei 4 years ago

          Ok Dr. Drey, I sincerely hope you are right about Akpeyi. The good news is that he has been consistent in the past couple of weeks, going by recent CSN articles on the chap. So he will hopefully bring that to the SE. What we want to see from him is confidence, a CAN-DO attitude. A goalkeeper shaking with fear in the goal post, eyes darting hither and thither, as if he is hiding from something or someone, is not what we need. Perhaps a solid performance for the SE will give him a coonfidence boost and see him fulfill his potential.

  • Sunnyb 4 years ago

    I think Okereke should replace Osimhen, Sadiq is not bad, I just think Okereke is a better finisher.Or we can play Denis in that position 

  • Akpeyi should always be on the neck of his back men. A little shout.talk with dem will make him a better keeper.some of those goals he is conceeds would hav been cleared away even be4 the ball get to the box .

  • Please o biko nu those saying the akpeyesque one rarely makes mistakes in national colours except for that friendly against Argentina have forgotten that south Africa now has an away win against SE 4 the gift akpeyi gave them in AFCON Qualifiers in a 2-0 wind of which both goals were his fault… wats about that mahrez gift of the tournament.
    If he was younger I’d understand becos even the legendary Enyeama made so many blunders when he was learning his craft as a young goalie… but akpeyesque one is way past the learning curve…. forget the older the better analogy for goalkeepers

    • Ololo 4 years ago

      Akpeyi is currently benching South Africa number one goal keeper.. I just read this morning that it would take a mountain for that South Africa no1 goalie to reclaim his number 1 position..
      Akpeyi is currently in the form of his life, he was hated when in transferred to chiefs even his home supporters always boo at him when he is on the pitch, after the afcon, chiefs almost cancelled his contract, he was fortunate to remain at the club, but look now how those who hated him in South Africa are now singing his praise..

      It’s time to akpeyi to win over Nigeria fans as well as he did with his club supporters.. He deserves to start against Benin and I wish him the best of luck

      • Akpeyi is not benching Khune the South African keeper. Khune is injured. He came back too soon and got injured again so is out for the foreseeable future. Having said that, Akpeyi is doing fantastically well and is even winning over the South African fans with his man of the match displays and has saved 3 penalties in his last two cup games, in addition to crucial saves during the matches.

        • Ololo 4 years ago

          sorry for that Error.. I totally forgot about his recent injury after he came back from the lengthy one he had, but he has loads of work to do when he recovers, considering akleyi form

  • To add to that BigD, Kaizer Chiefs’ hierarchy now have a decision to make when Khune comes back: do they stick with Akpeyi or do they stick him up by reinstating Khune as number one despite Akpeyi’s stellar performances?

    Akpeyi is now benefiting from injuries to his club side and national team number one goalkeepers.

    Did it have to take injuries before for observers to realise what has been obvious all this time? That Akpeyi is a shot-stopping, penalty saving top quality goalkeeper!

    This, despite his poor body language and occasional comedy moments!

  • Ikeben 4 years ago

    @cuteprince I don’t agree with you on the South Africa loss, the 2 goals were never Akpeyi’s fault. They were all defensive errors that largely exposed the goalkeeper. The game was a gamble Rohr did by benching Omeruo for Awaziem who was still a rookie. The last goal was as a result of all defenders going in search for the equlizer in the South African half. Leaving only the goal keeper in our half. Just a single pass and the experienced striker was face to face with Akpyi and the rest is history.

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