Chiefs won’t end goalkeeper search

Kaizer Chiefs may have signed Daniel Akpeyi from Chippa United on a one-and-a-half-year contract on transfer deadline day last week, but the Siya crew has been informed that their search for a goalkeeper is not yet over.

Akpeyi, 32, arrived from Port Elizabeth to stabilise the last line of defence following another costly error from Virgil Vries, who had become Amakhosi’s first choice keeper after Itumeleng Khune was ruled out for the remained of the 2018/19 season with a shoulder injury.

Akpeyi is expected to make his official debut in the Soweto derby against their archrivals Orlando Pirates in an Absa Premiership fixture on Saturday, but even if he impresses management over the coming months, he is not viewed as a long-term successor to Khune, who will also be turning 32 later this year.

Siya sources have indicated that Chiefs will look beyond the local league for a young, experienced and tested goal minder. Darren Keet was the ideal target, according to football manager Bobby Motaung, but the Bidvest Wits shot stopper has opted to return overseas when his contract with the Clever Boys expires in June.

Bruce Bvuma, 23, has been described as “ready” by those who are working closely with him at Naturena and is believed to be rated highly by goalkeeper coach Lee Baxter – but the timing for him to take over immediately was an issue.

Bvuma will now most likely leapfrog Vries to second choice, with Akpeyi ascending to being the preferred choice for coach Ernst Middendorp. The Nigeria international is not the future, however.