Chiefs coach backs Akpeyi to start against Highlands
Daniel Akpeyi needs to show the mental toughness to not allow his goalkeeping error in Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-1 Premiership draw with Polokwane City to get him down‚ says Amakhosi coach Ernst Middendorp.
Middendorp believes the 32year-old Nigeria international has the experience to bounce back when Amakhosi meet Highlands Park at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (kickoff 6pm).
The coach admitted‚ though‚ that there is some concern for Chiefs after the keeper they brought in to solidify a department that has been shaky since the injury to No 1 Itumeleng Khune made a costly mistake in his second game.
Akpeyi was signed from Chippa United on the last day of the transfer window on January 31‚ after Virgil Vries had struggled in deputising for the injured Khune‚ with howlers in defeats against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City.
Against Polokwane last 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.
“I only hope he has the right mentality to bounce back‚ and not getting any effects by it‚ You expect that there will be the possibility to make a mistake,” Middendorp said on Thursday. “That’s normal. That was my first approach with Virgil Vries too.
“Then in the next games‚ one or two were good‚ and then we have seen that against Cape Town City you have another [keeping error]. And that’s where I came to the conclusion that that’s difficult to accept.
“But at the moment [for Akpeyi] it’s OK. It happens. We must accept it in the moment. He will play. And I hope he’s mentally strong enough. It looks that way to me.”
Chiefs need a win against Highlands to restore their topfour ambitions. Owen Da Gama’s physical team are pushing for a place in the top eight.