Chippa United of South Africa goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi has praised Super Eagles’ shot-stoppers’ trainers, Enrico Pionetti and Alloy Agu for giving all four net minders equal opportunities in the national team’s camp, though they are all eyeing Nigeria’s number one shirt for the World Cup.
After three days of full team training in Uyo, Akpeyi said he has been encouraged to give his very best; knowing that the coaches are not giving any of the keepers preferential treatment, and hopes his efforts would be good enough to get the nod at Russia 2018.
Akpeyi has already dropped down in the pecking other behind Francis Odinaka Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, following a below par performance against South Africa in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
He was also beaten twice in shoddy form on November 14, 2017 against Argentina in an international friendly in Krasnodar, Russia.
The 29-year-old ex-Heartland of Owerri star admitted the demotion saddens him, but says he will work hard to regain the trust of the technical crew for the World Cup.
“Everybody wants to play, but not all will get the chance. The goalkeeper trainers have been doing great to put us in shape and I believe in my qualities that I will fight back.
“We have had equal opportunities and I believe that I can reclaim my place, but the coach decides who plays,” said Akpeyi, who kept 11 clean sheets and conceded 18 goals in 25 games for Chippa United in the just concluded ABSA Premier Soccer League season.
