The Nigeria goalkeeper has absolved himself and his teammates of any blame insisting that hard luck played its part in the Super Eagles Sunday night defeat to Algeria.
Nigeria were dominated by a sleek-passing, sweet-attacking Algerian side and ultimately lost to a stunning Riyadh Mahrez free kick with extra time looming.
Odion Ighalo had earlier gotten the West Africans on level terms after trailing to a Troost-Ekong own goal since the first half.
“It’s very tough and very sad that we have to lose in that manner, to have conceded through that kind of free-kick,” Akpeyi told journalists after the encounter.
A section of fans have been displeased by the goalkeeper’s performances at the AFCON, with more than a few suggesting that a better goaltender would have stopped Mahrez’s free kick.
But the South Africa based custodian have shielded himself from such talks, choosing rather to focus on the future.
“I wish there can be a replay but it’s over now and we have to look up to the third-place game.
“So far, it doesn’t matter whatever anyone would say about the team. These players have actually tried.”
“A lot of teams have been knocked out of this competition but we are still here.
“We have very young talent and I’m very sure if this team can be given a chance, we’ll be able to fix things,” Akpeyi concluded.
The Super Eagles meet Tunisia on Wednesday for a chance to go home with a consolation prize. The team has won each of their six third-place games in Afcon, while keeping a clean sheet in four of these ties.
