Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has been named Nigerian Goalkeeper of the Year after a stellar 2019.

The shotstopper not only got his big move to Amakhosi in 2019 but played a big part for the national team as he was Nigeria’s first-choice keeper at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.

The 33-year-old beat off competition from Omonia Nicosia keeper Francis Uzoho and El Kanemi Warriors stopper Adamu Abubakar to win the the accolade at the inaugural Ballers Awards ceremony, which is a new initiative to recognise homegrown Nigerian talent.

Akpeyi helped guide the Super Eagles to a third-place finish in Egypt while he also established himself at Chiefs having won the PSL Player of the Month for September/October 2019 after displaced Itumeleng Khune as Chiefs’ No 1.

Akpeyi could not attend the awards ceremony at Victoria Island, but took to Instagram to express his delight at winning the accolade.

‘I want to thank you for nominating me to be the best goalkeeper of the year and I want thank the organizers who made this possible,’ said Akpeyi.

‘Thank you for this prestigious award. It is quite unfortunate that I won’t be around to receive this award myself due to club engagements and I want to say well done to all the nominees, they have done extremely well in their personal capacities and in their clubs and countries.

‘Thank you to everyone who has belief in me, it is because of you that I have come this far and I promise to give my best,’ he concluded.