Kaizer Chiefs have disclosed that they decided to make a move for Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi in order to block what has become a leaky position in the squad, sequel to an injury that has sidelined Bafana Bafana ace, Itumeleng Khune.
Khune’s absence has been a topic of debate since he was ruled out of action through a shoulder injury in December, with the team having conceded eight goals and managed just one clean sheet in five games.
Sports247.ng learnt that Amakhosi quickly made moves to hook Akpeyi from Chippa United following complaints from their head coach, Ernst Middendorp about the performances of their stand-in shot-stopper.
Middendorp grew increasingly frustrated with the reserve keeper, Virgil Vries following yet another blunder by the Namibian against Cape Town City on Wednesday.
Vries conceded five goals over their two-legged CAF Confederation Cup second round fixture against Zambian outfit ZESCO United, who have since advanced to the tournament group stages at Amakhosi’s expense.
Based on the coach’s recommendation, Amakhosi reached an agreement with Chippa to sell Akpeyi, and he was unveiled as their new keeper at a press conference at 13h30 on Thursday.
Chiefs top brass, though, settled for the 32-year-old Super Eagles back-up keeper after failing in their preferred options, with just few hours to go before the transfer window closed at midnight.
The Glamour Boys had earlier been linked to Mamelodi Sundowns top keeper, Thela Ngobeni, but the Johannesburg-based club failed in their pursuit of the former Free State Stars safe pair of hands.
Kaizer Chiefs then announced during their press conference at the club headquarters in Naturena that Akpeyi had formally been signed.
Amakhosi fans will now hope Akpeyi can help them bounce back from a disappointing first half of the season, which saw Middendorp hired to replace Giovanni Solinas, who parted ways with the side in December.
