Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has praised goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi following his Man of the Match performance against Orlando Pirates.

The Glamour Boys did the double over the Buccaneers in the Absa Premiership after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their Soweto rivals at the FNB Stadium this past weekend.

The win stretched Amakhosi’s lead at the top of the table to seven points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns and nine points over Pirates.

Middendorp, praising his side for their showing against Pirates, singled out Akpeyi, who made a number of crucial saves to help them claim maximum points in the Soweto derby.

‘Definitely a result we were looking for. We had other games before, but we got under stress,’ Middendorp told the media after the game.

‘We have seen today, everybody has given advice – I must say it was interesting. In the end, if Jomo [Sono], Steve Komphela and a number of other colleagues are talking about that the final stages of 10, and now nine games for us, and how it is about mentality and how you want to achieve the result.

‘I think it is an unbelievable character to come in to the club where everybody’s first choice is injured and coming back at any time you get pressurised – I think it is an incredible performance, under the circumstances that we have seen week in and week out from Daniel Akpeyi – compliments in particular. Otherwise the entire team has contributed.’

Kaizer Chiefs will be hoping to continue their current form when they take on AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off set for 8:15pm.