Daniel Akpeyi has hailed the influence of the Super Eagles’ goalkeeper trainers, Enrico Pionetti and Alloy Agu, as he tries to regain his place as the team’s number-one for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Chippa United goalkeeper, dropped down in the pecking other behind Francis Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa following a below par performance against South Africa in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on November 14 2017 and against Argentina in an international friendly also in November last year.
The 29 year old shotstopper admitted he was left crestfallen by the demotion but vowed to regain the trust of the technical crew as they begin their preparation 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,” Akpeyi told CSN.
“We have had equal opportunities and I believe that I can reclaim my place, but the coach decides who plays.”
Akpeyi kept 11 clean sheets and conceded 18 goals in 25 games for Chippa United in the just concluded ABSA Premier Soccer League season in South Africa.