Nedbank Cup

Middendorp confirms Khune’s return but backs Akpeyi as No 1

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Kaizer Chiefs duo Itumeleng Khune and Daniel Akpeyi

Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp says Itumeleng Khune will return to goal for the upcoming Nedbank Cup clash with Highlands Park, while backing Daniel Akpeyi after his error against Maritzburg United.

The Glamour Boys suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat over the weekend by the Team of Choice where Akpeyi made a costly error in the lead-up to the opening goal.

With Khune now back in action, after returning against Royal Eagles in the last round of the cup, sections of the supporters have called on Middendorp to reinstate the South African international in the starting lineup.

Speaking in the buildup to the clash with the Lions of the North, Middendorp confirmed that Khune will come in for the cup clash but backed Akpeyi to keep his spot as the club’s No 1.

‘We have the next round in the Nedbank Cup [against Highlands Park] .. we did it last year in cup competitions with Bruce [Bvuma]. We are doing it again but, at the moment, it’s a decision for Saturday – we do it with Itumeleng Khune and nothing else,’ said the German coach.

‘And let me make one statement: our supporters at Kaizer Chiefs are very smart, very intelligent. They don’t get carried away just because there was a little mistake and we conceded in our defensive work.

‘We have seen a fantastic Daniel Akpeyi over months, rescuing us in the final stages, saving penalties. He was very crucial in other games as everybody knows. He was a man [of the match] and a player of the month several times.

‘And what we have seen now over the past seven or eight months … please guys, everybody who watches and follows Kaizer Chiefs knows exactly what Daniel Akpeyi has done this season and there is no way for me, for us or each and everybody in this Kaizer Chiefs family who is ignoring that.’