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Writer's pictureadeola bankole

Daniel Akpeyi - the consistent performer


Going into his club's fixture this weekend against Ajax Cape Town, Nigeria top goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi will be hoping to man the post and post yet again another man of the match performance for his club Chippa United.

In fact, the form of the 31 year old experienced international in the Premier South African League this season has been nothing short of impressive.

Akpeyi has kept goal in 19 league games this term and despite stiff competition for the number one spot at the club, Daniel continues to feature very regularly.

The shot-stopper was voted as Man of the Match in their wins over Free State Stars ‎and Mamelodi Sundowns, games they won 1-0 and 2-0 respectively. Additionally, he has kept three clean sheets in his last four games.

For Nigeria, he still has to battle Francis Uzoho (who plays 3rd division football in Spain) and Ikechukwu Ezenwa (who has never played professional football outside Nigeria) for the number 1 slot in the world cup this year.

Although plagued by some rather unfortunate incidences recently - unfairly blamed for the Super Eagles 0:2 home defeat to South Africa in 2016; and his misunderstanding of the officials' signals against Argentina which led to the 1st goal in the 2017 friendly match - Akpeyi remains the most experienced, vast and versatile of the three goalkeepers.

The ex-Warri Wolves net-minder was a member of the Nigeria national under-20 football team at 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and has been involved with various age grade and full Nigerian national team squads since then.

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