Why Kaizer Chiefs coach dropped Khune for Akpeyi

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt shed some light on why veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was dropped for Super Eagles goalie Daniel Akpeyi from the squad against Chippa United on Wednesday night.

Akpeyi has been the preferred number one goalkeeper, at Kaizer Chiefs over the past season and a half, due to Khune’s ongoing injury troubles.

After several months out of action, Khune made his return to the Amakhosi set-up in the final two games of the 2019/20 campaign, when he came in for Akpeyi who suffered a concussion in a clash against Bidvest Wits.

The 33-year-old thereafter continued between the sticks at the beginning of the current season, while Akpeyi dealt with his work permit issues.

However, after all his documents were finalised, Akpeyi was put straight into the line-up against Chippa United last night, with Khune dropping to the bench.

But Head Coach Hunt did not give too much away on why he preferred the Nigerian goalkeeper ahead of Khune, though revealed that he felt Akpeyi was ready for action and was proved right as Chiefs kept their first clean sheet after three games in a 1-0 win over Chippa.

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“The problem is that we haven’t had a proper pre-season. Itu came back from a major injury, didn’t play much and we had two-three and a half weeks to try and get everyone settled in.

“Daniel (Akpeyi), obviously he had a problem with his work permit and it came through yesterday and I just felt that he was certainly ready to play and let’s have a look…”