The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Daniel Akpeyi

  • Akpeyi takes up goalkeeper coaching role in South Africa

    Akpeyi takes up goalkeeper coaching role in South Africa

    Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has embarked on a new chapter in his football journey, joining Future of Africa FC, a Gauteng Development League side, as their new goalkeeper coach.

    The 39-year-old, who enjoyed a successful playing career with South African clubs like Chippa United and Marumo Gallants, brings vast experience and leadership to his new role.

    Read Also: GTI seeks investors’ partnership after successful NFF’s AGM

    Akpeyi, who represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and earned multiple caps for the national team, holds a CAF D License and has long expressed a passion for youth development.

    “I’m excited to help young goalkeepers grow into confident, modern players who understand the game both technically and tactically,” Akpeyi said.

    Widely respected for his composure, reflexes, and professionalism during his playing days, Akpeyi’s appointment has been well received by South Africa’s football community — many of whom believe his international experience will be invaluable in nurturing the country’s next generation of goalkeepers.

  • Akpeyi laments imminent  2026 FIFA  World Cup miss

    Akpeyi laments imminent  2026 FIFA  World Cup miss

    By Victor Oguntade

    Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi  has expressed his disappointment over Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in their  Group C of 2026 World Cup qualifier, saying an imminent  2026 World Cup miss doesn’t augur well for the development of  the game.

    “We’re looking for the three points so that we can be able to have the opportunity for us to qualify, but unfortunately, it looks more like a cow going through the eye of a needle, it’s hard,”  a crest-fallen Akpeyi said. “I feel sad to be honest, because there are other young players in the team who actually want to be in the World Cup.”

    The 39 –year-old  further expressed sadness over the team’s  current misfortune in the qualification run for the next year’s Mundial.

     “You see , we caused our own misfortune. Just imagine the game against Rwanda, we tried to get out of that game with a goal which gives us three points and a lifeline for this game (against South Africa), but unfortunately, we couldn’t get the desirable results we’re looking up to.”

    Read Also: NFF lauds  Adeniyi on election as Chairperson of WCO

    Akpeyi congratulated South Africa on their performance and highlighted the importance of team spirit and cohesion, citing South Africa’s success under coach Hugo Broos.

    Akpeyi, who had stints in the South African Premier League, believes the team needs to prepare early to qualify for the World Cup in the future, adding can no longer  be reckoned  with as the “giant of Africa”. He emphasized that every team is stepping up their game, making qualification more challenging.

    “I think probably this is going to teach us a lesson that we need to prepare early because we don’t need to depend on we being the giant of Africa. That used to be the case, but now, no team is an underdog;  everyone is stepping up to the game.”

    Akpeyi had an illustrious career, playing for several clubs, including Gabros International, Nasarawa United, Heartland, Warri Wolves, and Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United. He also represented Nigeria in several international tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

  • I’m still shopping for new club, says Akpeyi

    I’m still shopping for new club, says Akpeyi

    Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi,  has hinted that he was still  shopping for another club after being released from South African club Marumo Gallants last month.

    Akpeyi, who previously played for Kaizer Chiefs, joined Gallants at the start of last season after the club took over Moroka Swallows’ status.

    However, his time with the Bloemfontein-based outfit was marred by injuries and limited opportunities, as he made just seven appearances in all competitions.

    The experienced shot-stopper was one of more than ten players released by the club at the end of the 2024/25 season.

    Despite the setback, Akpeyi has made it clear he’s not ready to hang up his gloves. He confirmed he is actively searching for a new team and is eager to continue playing in the upcoming season.

    In the meantime, Akpeyi has also been working on his future beyond the pitch. He recently completed his CAF D Licence and has expressed a strong interest in transitioning into coaching, specifically as a goalkeeper coach.

    Read Also: Oshoala, Plumptre return as NFF list 24 Super Falcons for WAFCON

    “My aim is to work as a goalkeeper coach, so I’m trying to get certificates,” Akpeyi told FARPost. “I’m now done with my [CAF] D Licence.”

    He also revealed that several clubs in South Africa’s second division have shown interest in signing him. However, he emphasized that he is only considering clubs with serious ambitions of gaining promotion to the Premier Soccer League.

    “There are quite a few interests, so I’m just trying to consider them all,” he added.

     “There’s interest from the lower division. So, we’re trying to see what the chances are. I’m open to working with a team that is ready to fight for promotion.”

    Since arriving in South Africa in 2015, Akpeyi has played for Chippa United, Kaizer Chiefs, the now-defunct Moroka Swallows, and Marumo Gallants.

  • Akpeyi: Super Eagles lack South Africa’s quality

    Akpeyi: Super Eagles lack South Africa’s quality

    Veteran Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has voiced his frustration over the Super Eagles’ underwhelming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, drawing a sharp contrast with the progress of South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, according to Soccernet.ng.

    Akpeyi, 38, who has played in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League since 2015 and currently turns out for Marumo Gallants, praised the structure and cohesion within South African football, attributing their strong showing in Group C to those qualities.

    Read Also: NFF mourns as 1980 AFCON winner  Bassey dies in Eket

    While South Africa sit top of the group with 13 points from six games — four wins, a draw, and one loss — Nigeria languish in fourth with just seven points from one win and four draws.

    The Super Eagles are now six points off the summit, behind Benin and Rwanda, and level on points with Lesotho, while Zimbabwe prop up the table with four.

    “We lack what South Africa has” – Super Eagles star issues blunt verdict on Nigeria’s poor World Cup race

    Speaking to FARPost, Akpeyi was candid in his assessment:

  • Uzoho: I’ll bounce back this season

    NIGERIA international goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is hoping for a positive return to Cyprus when he starts a loan spell with Omonia Nicosia from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.

    The 20-year-old endured a torrid time earlier this year after a loan spell at Cypriot rivals Anorthosis Famagusta was cut short due to irregularities in his registration.

    On the pitch, it was also difficult after he was sent off for the first time in his career in April.

    A lack of top-flight football cost him his place as Nigeria’s first-choice keeper ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, becoming the third choice behind Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

    “I learned a lot from last season’s experience. Hopefully, it will serve as a motivation to do well,” Uzoho, who joins Omonia on a season-long loan, told BBC Sport.

    Read Also: AFCON 2019: Eagles will be ready for Bafana, says Uzoho

    “I can say last season is in the past now and I hope to write a good chapter with Omonia by God’s grace and hard work.

    “To move forward you can’t keep looking back, so I just want to remain focused on what lies ahead.”

    Capped 14 times by Nigeria, he played all three matches as the Super Eagles exited the 2018 World Cup in the group stage.

    But he made a solitary appearance at the just-concluded Nation Cup against Tunisia as the Super Eagles sealed a third-place finish in Egypt.

    “I was very happy to play for my county at the Nations Cup and to be able to do that in a match that got us a medal was incredible,” added Uzoho.

    “I’ve started pre-season with the club on a positive note and I feel good about it. I just hope to kick off with positivity and help Omonia Nicosia achieve the club’s target this season.”

    In October 2017, Uzoho became the youngest foreign goalkeeper to ever play in La Liga and marked a memorable Deportivo La Coruna debut with a clean sheet.

    Uzoho was part of the victorious Nigeria squad at the 2013 Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, albeit without playing a single minute at the tournament.

    He arrived at Deportivo from Qatar’s Aspire Academy in January 2017.

  • New League Season: Akpeyi to open shop against Etafia

    With the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations now done and dusted, Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi will turn focus to PSL new season which kicks off August 3rd.

    The Kaizer Chiefs safehand will open the new season against Highlands Park who only recently re-engaged former Eagles goalkeeper Greg Etafia who is back on the pitch after coming out of retirement.

    Akpeyi who was in goal in five of the seven matches played by the Super Eagles in Egypt, joined kaizer Chiefs from Chippa United early in the year. Kaizer Chiefs had confirmed on their website then that the Nigerian signed a year and five months contract adding ““We welcome him to the Amakhosi Family!”

    The 32 year old was a subject of discuss among fans on social media during the Nations cup when he caressed the ball several times during the match against Bafana Bafana which the Eagles won 2-1, with some of them insinuating that he might be using black magic.

    Akpeyi who made over 92 appearances of Chippa United before joining Kaize Chiefs however laughed it off insisting that black magic if at all it exists does not work in football noting that if it were real, those who use it “would have been winning the world cup and Champions league every now and then”

    Though the new season will kick off on the 3rd August, Highlands Parks will host Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday August 4th.

  • We know what’s at stake, says Akpeyi

    Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has said that the players know what is at stake and are ready for the game against Cameroon at the Alexandria Stadium, Egypt.

    The Kaizer Chiefs FC of South Africa goalkeeper is expected to return to the starting lineup after he was rested in the last game against Madagascar.

    The former Warri Wolves goalkeeper admitted that Nigeria was hurt in the shock 2-0 defeat to Madagascar in the last group B game and expressed belief that the team would come out stronger against Cameroon.

    “We are looking forward to our game, which is most important to us. Sometimes it is okay to lose a game to prepare you for the next game that is very important. The Cameroon game is more important than Madagascar game. Everybody is trying to be fit mentally and physically to ensure we overcome Cameroon,” Akpeyi said.

    He added: “Playing against Cameroon is like playing with any other team in the tournament. To me, there is nothing special that will make me rate Cameroon better than any other team. Like statistics showed before our last game, Nigeria was rated above Madagascar and nobody would have predicted that Nigeria would lose to them. This is football and you welcome everything.  Whoever shows determination will win at the end of the day.”

     

  • I’m satisfied with Akpeyi, says Rohr

    SUPER Eagles’ Coach, Gernot Rohr has expressed satisfaction with goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi following his clean sheet performance against Burundi on Nigeria’s opening 1-0 win at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, AOIFootball.com reports.

    The 32-year-old, who was chosen to start ahead of erstwhile number one Francis Uzoho, provided moments of genuine quality interspersed with a jitteriness that nearly cost the Super Eagles on a number of occasions.

    “The goalkeeper did not concede a goal which is good for him and for the team, and he stopped a wonderful opportunity in the first half and as you know that the first goal is the most important, so in that situation, he was really very good.

    “Then we know that sometimes there can also be mistakes like what happened when he tried to dribble with the ball. I didn’t like that he did it but we will try to make it better next time. But what I saw from him the last three weeks was really so good in the training sessions that today he was our number 1,” Rohr concluded.

    Meanwhile, Daniel Akpeyi has said that his side was lucky to have come out with all three points against debutants Burundi.

    Read Also: Rohr to Eagles: Beat Burundi

    The former Nasarawa United goalkeeper stated that the Eagles had to be patient to break the resolve of their opponents.

    “They were a tough nut to crack despite coming to the Nations Cup for the first time; they showed good strength and they also have good players. Overall, they did very well but we were lucky to get all three points,” Akpeyi stated.

    On his performance, the former Dream Team goalkeeper added that the most important thing for him at the moment was the three points secured.

    “The most important thing is the victory and the three points. For me, I am just picking it up gradually. If I get another opportunity I will try and do my best again,” Akpeyi concluded.

  • Middendorp faith in Akpeyi pays off as Chiefs triumph

     

    Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp faith in Nigerian international Daniel Akpeyi paid off on Saturday as the Chiefs ran away with a 3-2 win over Highlands Park in Durban.

    Akpeyi who doubles as Super Eagles goalkeeper was largely blamed for the 1-1 draw recorded by the club against Polokwane City last Saturday as he allowed an effort from long range to slide under his body, in what some of the fans described as preventable error.

    The coach however insisted that the error was normal and nothing to raise alarm about predicting that the Nigerian will bounce back and true to his prediction Akpeyi rose to the occasion against Highlands.

    “I only hope that he has the right mentality to bounce back, and not getting any effects by it,” Middendorp is quoted as saying by TimesLive.

    Akpeyi conceded two goals in the 41st and 77th minute of the match while denying Highlands other scoring opportunity.  Kaizer Chiefs grabbed two goals in the first half and consolidated with a 71st minute third goal.

    Kaizer Chiefs will next face Maritzburg United next Saturday.  Akpeyi no doubt will be happy to be enjoying the confidence of his coach who believes that on a good day he knows exactly how to get it right.

    “I am quite convinced that he knows that he has to do it in a proper way, “enthused an elated Middendorp

  • ‘Akpeyi’s mistake should not end world cup chance’ 

    ‘Akpeyi’s mistake should not end world cup chance’ 

    Super Eagles legend, Peter Rufai has defended embattled goalie Daniel Akpeyi following his howler in the friendly against Argentina on Tuesday night.
    The Chippa United star started in goal against the South Americans but contrived to give them the lead after he awkwardly handled the ball outside his penalty area but the Eagles rallied from a two-goal deficit to win 4-2 courtesy a brilliant brace by Iwobi and a goal each from Kelechi Iheanacho and debutant Brian Idowu.
    Rufai, 54, who was capped 65-times for the senior national team believes Akpeyi should be given another opportunity and encouraged.
    “Anyone can make mistake because no one is perfect,” he told SportingLife
    “Goalkeeping needs a lot of maturity, composure, consistency, leadership mentality and the humility needed as well. You have to communicate with your defence line, make good decisions and mindset means a lot.”
    “Akpeyi’s mistake (against Argentina) could also happen to another goalkeeper and that shouldn’t mean the end. Footballers make mistakes, referee’s too because nobody is perfect. All that is required is encouragement.”