Marumo Gallants goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has discussed the pressure he faced at Kaizer Chiefs, where he was often the preferred choice despite fan support for Itumeleng Khune.
Akpeyi joined Amakhosi in 2019 while Khune was recovering from a prolonged injury.
During that time, he established himself as the number one goalkeeper for the Soweto giants and continued in that role even after Khune's return to fitness.
He feels that the fans were not entirely supportive of his position and were eager to see the former Bafana Bafana captain back in goal.
Akpeyi acknowledges that this situation created pressure for him, but it also provided an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities to the supporters.
HOW AKPEYI PROVED KAIZER CHIEFS SUPPORTERS WRONG
“I must say that the pressure I was facing there is that I had to, in a positive competition with the legend himself Itumeleng Khune, it was quite fortunate for me that I had to play every game at a point in time,” Akpeyi told FARPost.
“So, that put so much pressure on me because actually, with all due respect, the fans their own to play which is Itumeleng Khune.
“Quite unfortunate for him then, the coach preferred me to play at a point in time.
“That brings out the best in me because when I know that I have to compete with the best, it brings out best in me because I’m this type of person that mentally I’m strong.
“So, I don’t really bother or get scared of what the crowd says behind me because there are some games that the crowd is sitting right on top of my neck here even when I’m doing well in the game.
“But then I’ve been trained to be mentally strong, I grew up that way. I was able to go through that pressure and that only can bring out the best in me and that’s why I’m still here.”
