Gamal and Akpeyi pray for berths
But poor PSL could halt duo
With Amr Gamal and Daniel Akpeyi the only two PSL players in line to go to the World Cup next year, the duo have the tough task of having to shine in an otherwise lacklustre league to boost their selection chances.
Bidvest Wits striker Gamal will be hoping to get the nod with Egypt while Chippa United goalkeeper Akpeyi is aiming to turn out for Nigeria.
Their ambitions have been made even harder to achieve by the poor standard of the Premiership this season.
They will need to impress their national team coaches in the next five months in order to secure their spots in the Russia games.
“I am looking forward to playing in the World Cup and I wish that I can make the final squad,” Gamal told Sowetan.
“I was glad to contribute to the team during the qualifiers and I hope to continue.
“After 28 years of failing to qualify it would be a dream come true for me and all my teammates.
“I want to improve in the PSL and get better after every game. It’s a good league that is very fast and I’m enjoying it.”
Wits are bottom of the table in the Premiership while Chippa have enjoyed a resurgence under coach Teboho Moloi.
There have been 12 draws in the league in the last 15 games, with six of them being goalless stalemates.
The Premiership overall has been listless, with 37 draws in 90 games so far.
While Akpeyi, 31, has featured in 10 games for Chippa, the 26-year-old Gamal has scored five goals in 13 appearances.
“If it is my destiny then I will take it. The best is still coming from me,” Akpeyi said.
“The next few months I will ensure that I do everything possible to keep on top of my game.
“I was never given a chance before in Nigeria. I was never among the goalkeepers who people thought could play for the national team. Destiny had other plans and now I stand a chance to go to the World Cup.”