I’m ready to reclaim Eagles’ no 1 shirt —Akpeyi

Rasheed Adewuyi | New York

Super Eagles and Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has pledged to reclaim Nigeria’s number one shirt when the team commence preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Egypt.
All the 25 players invited to the Nigeria camp ahead of the AFCON 2019 are expected to report on June 2 in Asaba and Akpeyi told Siya TV in an interview that he knew how and why he lost his position as the number one choice to Francis Uzoho and he’s ready to claw back the number one jersey.
“It was obvious that things went wrong for me when I was the first choice but the only way to bounce back is through hard work and dedication as long as I’m still part of the team,” Akpeyi said.
The former Heartland and Nasarawa FC player said it has not been easy sitting on the bench since Uzoho became the first choice, adding that he will put in his best to convince Gernot Rohr that he is capable of being his number one goalkeeper by the time the Nations Cup commences in Egypt next month.
“I want to thank Gernot Rohr for believing in me and that’s why he has continued to give me the chance to prove myself because I won’t be able to do that if I’m not invited.”
Akpeyi, who admitted that Uzoho is one of the best goalkeepers in Nigeria said his choice has propelled other keepers in the national team to work harder.
Meanwhile, Akpeyi who was signed by Kaizer Chiefs during the January transfer window to help the Amakhosi solve their goalkeeper problems, has been demoted following series of mistakes in recent past.
This development has continued to give Rohr sleepless nights after Uzoho also made a blunder against Seychelles in the Super Eagles’ last AFCON qualifying match in Asaba two months ago.