Chippa United of South Africa goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi has confessed that he has a burning ambition to return to his once revered spot as Nigeria’s number one shot-stopper.
footballlive.ng recalls that Akpeyi lost his spot to ikechukwu Ezenwa after committing several blunders against South Africa at the start of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifies in June 2017.
Akpeyi’s errors cost Nigeria a 2-0 loss at home against Bafana Bafana in Uyo but, with both sides now set to play out the reverse fixture next weekend in Johannesburg, the former Heartland of Owerri and Warri Wolves keeper says he wants his shirt back.
Akpeyi’s ambition might have been blessed with the absence of current first choice, Francis Odinaka Uzoho, due to injury, and the fact that Ezenwa has not been convincing with his club, Enyimba International of Aba, such that the former number one is talking tough once again.
The former youth international, though, admits he will have to work hard in training when the Eagles resume camping on Monday, but believes his recent top form at his club in the same country where next weekend’s match will be played should give him an edge.
Akpeyi declared: “I know that if I keep on working very hard in training and in matches for my club, Chippa United, I can still regain my number one place in the Super Eagles.
“We have good goalkeepers in the Super Eagles and I lost my position due to one or two errors I committed while in goal, but that is in the past and I strongly believe that if I continue to work hard, I will regain my number one position in the Super Eagles.
“To be in the Super Eagles squad is a great honour. I learn new things whenever I am in the camp of the national team.
“There is no doubt that we have good goalkeepers in the national team and I will keep on improving my game to become number one again in the Super Eagles.”
