Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has admitted he found it difficult to drop Daniel Akpeyi, saying Itutmeleng Khune’s return was just a matter of timing.

The Nigerian keeper joined Amakhosi in January to help cover for the then injured Khune and, despite initially struggling, Akpeyi found himself back in the starting lineup after Bruce Bvuma was injured in the warm-up before Chiefs’ second league game against Black Leopards.

The former Chippa United man performed well for his side while Khune continued to wait in the wings.

The Bafana Bafana stopper then returned to the team as Chiefs reclaimed the top spot on the Absa Premiership table, with a 2-0 win at AmaZulu on Tuesday.

Speaking on Khune’s return, Middendorp admitted it was tough to drop Akpeyi but the keeper accepted the decision.

‘I had a long chat with Daniel Akpeyi. He is a very good goalkeeper and he accepted it [that he will be benched]. Daniel Akpeyi played well in the first four games, so it was difficult for me [to relegate him].’

The German mentor added that while Akpeyi performed well, it was only a matter of time until the club captain was reinstated.

‘Since 2006, Itu Khune has been in the squad and he is the captain [of the club]. It was all about the right timing. It was all about how far he is at training.

‘Daniel showed a lot of respect to Itu in his first game today [Tuesday],’ Middendorp concluded.