Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp said he is hopeful that new goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi will have all his paperwork sorted, so that he will be available for the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
The Glamour Boys brought in the Nigerian international on transfer deadline day, after number one keeper Itumeleng Khune suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, with his deputy Virgil Vries struggling to fill the void and making several high-profile errors.
Vries’ errors against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City cost his team a result and pushed Chiefs into the transfer.
With the Soweto derby looming on Saturday, much has been made about who will be in between the sticks for Chiefs.
“We have had our issues after the injury of Itu Khune. We have reacted. We have a new goalkeeper. We have Bruce (Bvuma) as well. We will be able to select on Saturday“ – Coach Middendorp #SowetoDerby #TheBattleIsOn #HailTheChief
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) February 7, 2019
Middendorp subsequently said at a press conference on Thursday that he is hopeful to have Akpeyi ready and available for the clash against Pirates when asked if all the paperwork had been completed.
‘In the moment I’m just hoping it will be done, and at the moment that looks like the case.
‘I think that he will and could be available for selection, that is what I’m hoping for that everything moves in the right direction,’ concluded the German coach.
Chiefs and Pirates will do battle at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
