Daniel Akpeyi, formerly of Kaizer Chiefs ready to join Pirates. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Daniel Akpeyi, formerly of Kaizer Chiefs ready to join Pirates. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi makes Orlando Pirates decision! 

A former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper in Daniel Akpeyi has made a decision on a potential move to arch rivals Orlando Pirates.

Daniel Akpeyi, formerly of Kaizer Chiefs ready to join Pirates. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Daniel Akpeyi, formerly of Kaizer Chiefs ready to join Pirates. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

A former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper in Daniel Akpeyi has made a decision on a potential move to arch rivals Orlando Pirates.

Akpeyi spent several years at Chiefs after joining them from Chippa United and had an impressive spell as their first choice goal-minder.

READ | BREAKING: KAIZER CHIEFS RECIEVE HUGE BOOST IN KOBAMELO KODISANG FUTURE

When Akpeyi arrived at Chiefs during the 2018 January transfer window, he was largely expected to be just a back up. It had been recurring injuries to then number one and veteran star Itumeleng Khune that had forced the club to go into the transfer market looking for another shot-stopper during the middle of the season. In the end the Nigerian more than exceeded initial club expectations by as he really rose to prominence in the season where Amakhosi almost won the league, before they were pipped by rivals Mamelodi Sundowns on the final day. 

Akpeyi no stranger to being first choice

Even during last season Akpeyi had seemed to gain the favour of former coach Stuart Baxter at Chiefs, who after giving almost all of the club’s keepers a chance, eventually settled on the veteran. His form would see him rewarded with a call up to the Nigerian 2021 Africa Cup of Nations showpiece in Cameroon. In fact, his form had also began rumours that the club had offered him an extension to stay on at Amakhosi. 

READ | (WATCH): KAIZER CHIEFS TARGET SHOWS THEM WHAT THEY MISSING

Akpeyi would mysteriously lose his place upon his return from the tournament and as he failed to regain it, the tide had begun to turn on the player and his future at Chiefs was beginning to look rather uncertain. It was then confirmed when he was released from the club. Since then he has been training on his own and also flirting with rivals Pirates over a possible move.

His comments on joining Pirates from Chiefs

“What I can say is that I qualify to play as a local, and even last year, I was eligible for that. So, if I have to join any team that wants me as a local, I can do so, though I will have to first apply for that. That is my situation, But I haven’t had any contact with anyone from Pirates, although they are a team that I wouldn’t mind joining because they are competing for the league and for (honours in) Africa. That’s the team to play for.” Said Akpeyi about a possible switch from Chiefs to the Buccaneers to Soccer-Laduma.

READ | ITALIAN SERIE A SIDE SET TO BEAT KAIZER CHIEFS TO STRIKER TARGET

It now remains to be seen if Akepyi will move to the black and white side of Soweto by joining Pirates and how exactly Chiefs fans would react to that.