Akpeyi ‘must not allow error to get him down’
Daniel Akpeyi needs to show the mental toughness to not allow his goalkeeping error in Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-1 Absa Premiership draw against Polokwane City to get him down‚ Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp has said.
Middendorp said he believed the 32-year-old Nigeria international had the experience to be able to bounce back when sixth-placed Amakhosi meet ninth-positioned Highlands Park at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (kickoff 6pm).
The coach admitted that there was some concern for Chiefs after the keeper they brought in to solidify a department that had been shaky since the injury to No 1 Itumeleng Khune made a costly mistake in just his second game.
Akpeyi was signed from Chippa United on the last day of the transfer window on January 31‚ after Virgil Vries had clearly struggled deputising for Khune‚ with howlers in defeats against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City.
Against Polokwane on Saturday‚ after Daniel Cardoso’s penalty put Chiefs ahead in the 15th minute‚ Akpeyi allowed winger Walter Musona’s bouncing shot in under his body in the 21st.
“I only hope he has the right mentality to bounce back‚” Middendorp said on Thursday.
“You expect there will be the possibility to make a mistake. That’s nothing unusual.
“At the moment [for Akpeyi] it’s OK. It happens. And he will play‚ he will start. And I hope he’s mentally strong enough
“He knows he has to do it in a proper way.”
Chiefs need a win against Highlands to restore their topfour ambitions.
Owen da Gama’s Park are pushing for a place in the top eight. –