I’m not fighting for position at Kaizer Chiefs, Eagles goalkeeper declares

Super Eagles and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has said he was not fighting for position in his South Africa club, stressing that he is only enjoying healthy competition in the goalkeeping department.

According to him, he wishes that the club long-serving skipper and counterpart, Itumeleng Khume, returns back from the injury lay-off.

Khune is on the mend and has recently been declared medically fit following a lay-off since the end of September when he played just 118 minutes after returning from a nine-month lay-off.

The 32-year-old, however, still requires time to work on his physical fitness, according to coach Ernst Middendorp, meaning Akpeyi could still enjoy some more time as number-one before his predecessor looks to retain his place between the sticks.

But the Nigerian international, who bagged the Player of the Month award for September and October, has proclaimed his faith and asserted that he does not fear the return of ‘Itu’.

“I want to say this, I’m a strong believer in the word of God. In other words, I’m a born again Christian, so I want to thank our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for giving me the strength to go through all the odds, to have won an award for the month.

“I know it’s very rare for goalkeepers to come to this level, and I must say that the mental strength I have has actually carried me to this point.

“I don’t think we’re having any fight on who is going to be the number-one – no. It’s only an opportunity that I’m having, with the coaching having the confidence to play me while Khune is injured and all that.

“If Khune is fine and the coach decides on whoever he wants to play, we are cool. The good thing about it is that we have healthy competition in that department, and everyone is pushing each other.

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“One thing I like about Khune is that he supports you whenever, from what I can see. So, it’s not actually looking at Daniel being number-two or number-one.

“It’s about you being given the opportunity to play and we support each other from there.”