Akpeyi set for Chiefs debut

Daniel Akpeyi is set to make his Kaizer Chiefs debut in the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates on Saturday after coach Ernst Middendorp confirmed that the Nigerian-born goalkeeper had received his work permit after joining Amakhosi a few hours before the close of the January transfer window.

While the German-born coach was at pains to avoid confirming Akpeyi as a certainty for the Chiefs No 1 shirt ahead of the Absa Premiership showdown against Pirates‚ he has not been shy to voice his displeasure at the number of costly blunders committed by goalkeeper Virgil Vries in previous matches.

Vries has been the preferred keeper in the absence of injured club captain Itumeleng Khune‚ who is only likely to make a comeback next season.

“Akpeyi is available for selection‚ that’s my information as we are standing here‚” Middendorp said on Thursday.

“I’m quite convinced Akpeyi will be one of the keepers we have available to choose from for Saturday.”

Chiefs will be desperate to win this latest edition of the derby after suffering three successive losses against their traditional rivals in 2018.

A victory would also keep them in the title hunt, but Middendorp has other issues to worry about.

The absence of dynamic attacking midfielder Lebohang Manyama – who will also only return next season – is likely to be felt but the coach tried hard to downplay the absences.

“I think that’s unfair [to refer to the absence of Khune and Manyama and its impact]. It’s unfair to the players who are now taking hold of the positions.

“We should give them [the players who are available] the respect from our side‚ the coaching side and the fans’ side too.”

Middendorp‚ who began his second stint at Chiefs on December 9‚ said he had yet to talk to his players about the defeats they suffered to Pirates in 2018.