Super Eagles GK Akpeyi’s Brilliance Splits Opinion In South Africa

Daniel Akpeyi had a mixed performance in the ABSA Premier League draw between leaders Kaiser Chiefs and Black Leopards.

The Nigeria international made his 15th league appearance for the Amakhosi, producing a few good saves, but it was not enough to earn him his eighth clean sheet of the campaign.

Samir Nurkovic gave Chiefs the lead in the 11th minute, but Leopards got back on levelled terms after Akpeyi failed to keep out a superb Mogakolodi Ngele free-kick on the half-hour mark.

However, minutes later, the Super Eagles goalkeeper had to produce a superb save to deny goalscorer Ngele, quickly diving low to keep Chiefs from conceding another.

The draw meanwhile maintained Kaiser Chiefs unbeaten run in their last five league games including two wins and one draw.

The Amakhosi are sitting top of the table with 42 points, 10 points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who will be at SuperSport on Sunday.

But despite Akpeyi's brilliance, some Amakhosi fans continued to call for the return of club favourite and South Africa's Number 1 goaltender, Itumelenga Khune.

Khune was a hero at Chiefs until an injury allowed Akpeyi lay claim to the club's Number 1 gloves. The return from injury of Khune has, however, coincided with Akpeyi in top form.

And Chiefs' coach Ernst Middendorp has stuck with the 33-year-old Akpeyi, who was recently named Nigeria's goalkeeper of the year at the inaugural Ballers Awards Ceremony.

But the decision does not sit well with a host of Khune's loyalists.

Akpeyi is poor in communicating with his defense plus crosses and Positioning himself but when you criticize him they say he is the best he made so many mistakes before but we are riding on the penalties he saved before that's what makes us think he is on form and the best

— MJ BESTER ❤️✌️ (@josias_bester) January 19, 2020

As much as I respect the ability of akpeyi in the goal post but I need Khune for capability of passing the ball to strikers if we attach and for our national team

— Pavali (@MondliBrianZum1) January 18, 2020

https://twitter.com/thatomatuka/status/1218800520460165121

Khune would've saved that free kick

— Indlabeyiphika (@MomantiShongwe) January 18, 2020

Now Akpeyi is starting to be useless for us to win this league we will need a team that is being led from behind to grind the results Khune must come back its time

— MJ BESTER ❤️✌️ (@josias_bester) January 19, 2020

Akpeyi he has done his part. We thank him

But we want khune back no hard feelings

— ENOCK POKOPOKO (@ENOCKPOKOPOKO) January 19, 2020

However, a notable few South African support has emerged for Akpeyi including Kaizer Chiefs legend, William Shongwe.

“As much as we can deny it, the (Akpeyi's) experience has been showing. The quality of Akpeyi has been there for all to see. It's just that the supporters are spoiled. They don't want to see anything less than Khune,” Shongwe told Kick-Off. 

“We can only hope that he continues.”

Others on Twitter agree with Shongwe's position.

Itu Khune is a TOP goalkeeper, we all know that. But Daniel Akpeyi been doing well in his absence and he deserve to play ahead of Khune.

— Marks Nkuna (@MarksNkuna) January 18, 2020

Khune is the best but Akpey is on form pic.twitter.com/tQzFl26moQ

— briaN jambatanI (@stxnkie_jb) January 18, 2020

https://twitter.com/la_vonce/status/1218841383026511872

https://twitter.com/Matt___007/status/1218779615029800961

https://twitter.com/DBudasa/status/1218850363153027072