Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has revealed why Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi lost his starting spot in the national team.
Since 2019, Akpeyi has been a reserve keeper, falling behind Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho.
Speaking with iDiski Times, the German tactician said that Akpeyi’s reoccurring injury contributed to his loss of number one shirt in the team.
“He never lost his place in the national team as one of our three goalkeepers.
“He lost the number one because he had some injuries and was ill at times, giving the others a chance to play and play well.
“Francis Uzoho also came back, who was the youngest goalkeeper at the 2018 World Cup with 18 years. Maduka also played a great season at Sparta Rotterdam, which saw him take the number one shirt.”
COMMENTS
This speech from Rohr attested to the fact that Akpeyi is a good goalkeeper. We just hate him unnecessarily! Rohr would have confessed if Akpeyi was being forced on him!
Akpeyi that caught a ball outside the box in friendly match against Argentina in Ukraine, just go to YouTube and watch it, and listen to what the commentators said when he got that ball, please he is not a good goalkeeper, whoever is keeping him there should vacate him for Osigwe and Adeleye. They are very competent. You talking, if Akpeyi handles the ball will you be at peace when he handles the ball? Just look at that photo image of him handling the ball, am scared cos he’s handling over 200Million watching, look how Rufia grips ball, Look at our dear Maduka Okoye, Uzoho. Please.
NO ONE HATES AKPEYI. WE JUST OBSERVED THAT HE IS USUALLY JITTERY IN GOAL AND DOESN’T LOOK CONFIDENT WHEN WE PLAY AGAINST STRONGER SIDES.
IM NOT A HUGE FAN OF OKOYE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF GOALS HE CONCEDES AT TIMES BUT YOU SAW HOW CONFIDENT HE WAS IN LAST NIGHTS GAME AND HOW WELL HE MANNED THE POST. IF AKPEYI CAN SHOW THAT KIND OF CONFIDENCE WHENEVER HE PLAYS HE WOULD STILL BE NUMBER ONE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS IN GOAL SO WHAT IS WRONG IN TRYING OTHERS AS WELL AND GIVE THEM SOME EXPERIENCE.
UZOHO HAS WORLD CUP EXPERIENCE, AKPEYI NATIONS CUP EXPERIENCE AND OKOYE IS GETTING AFCON EXPERIENCE AS WELL. SO ITS A PLUS FOR THE SUPER EAGLES TO HAVE AT LEAST 3 EXPERIENCED GOAL KEEPERS IN THE TEAM.
If it’s was akpeyi that was in goal that salah strike would have been in the back of the net, what I meant was akpeyi bis 185cm while okoye is 197cm and what actually kept the ball out was his boots if they was akpeyi his leg won’t be that long. Am not criticizing akpeyi
Abeg Okoye is far better, its not even close. Akpeyi won’t make that save Okoye made yesterday. He’s not a terrible keeper but not just confident enough for Super Eagles
Okoye is the future. If he continues like this he will stay longer in Eagles for at least the next 12 to 16 years
Akpabasket is the worst goalkeeper to stand in between the sticks,his name spells calamity
Don’t even want to see him. He is 35 and should go home now.