Nigeria's goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi will not be in the match day squad of Kaizer Chiefs when the league leaders take on unbeaten Maritzburg in a crucial Cup game on Sunday but their opponents believe that the tournament favourites can make do without their Nigerian import.
Maritzburg United captain and former Ajax Cape Town defender Nazeer Allie has hailed the squad depth that Kaizer Chiefs boast of, believing that his team will face a tough rival who will not be majorly affected by absentees on Sunday.
Maritzburg United defender Kwanda Mngonyama is also suspended for Sunday’s clash at Mbombela Stadium #SSDiski
— SuperSport Blitz (@SuperSportBlitz) November 19, 2019
The Amakhosi, without top shotstopper Daniel Akpeyi – who will be missing due to suspension – will pit their wits against Maritzburg in Sunday’s second semifinal at Mbombela Stadium. Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns trade tackles on Saturday at Durban’s Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in the other semifinal tie.
Aside Akpeyi, Chiefs will also be without centreback Erick Mathoho and defensive midfielder Willard Katsande, three big players yet Allie insists that the absentees would not make Maritburg's task any easier.
“No‚ they have a big squad. They have quality players who can just come in and fill the positions‚” Allie said ahead of the big clash.
“For me‚ Chiefs are a big team‚ they have quality players on their bench who can come in and take any position.”
Daniel Akpeyi was in goal for the Super Eagles when Nigeria defeated Benin (2-1) and Lesotho (2-4) to kick off their 2021 AFCON qualifying campaign in perfect style.
