Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has expressed his delight at seeing the 30-year-old return to club football with the Chilli Boys, but he has coupled his praise with a stern warning. While the move offers the former Enyimba star a chance to rebuild his career, Akpeyi insists that reclaiming Nigeria national team’s number one shirt will be a significant challenge given the competition from Europe-based stars.
Nigeria's goalkeeper has finally returned to the Eastern Cape-based outfit, but the reason behind his February departure from the Chilli Boys has only now been revealed. His representative has opened up about the immense emotional toll the shot-stopper endured before opting to leave the club and spend months on the sidelines without a team.
Former Amakhosi goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has weighed in on the 30-year-old’s surprising decision to return to the Chilli Boys for the upcoming season. After appearing to be on the verge of a high-profile move following his heroics for Nigeria during the last AFCON finals, the shot-stopper has instead opted for familiar surroundings in the Eastern Cape.
Despite recent media reports stating Nigerian international goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was on the verge of joining a Saudi Pro League side, his former club Chippa United have announced he has been welcomed back into the Chilli Boys fold.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper is currently a free agent after his surprise departure from Chippa United in February. Since then, he has been linked with several clubs, with Amakhosi reportedly emerging as the most prominent suitor.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper is currently unattached as he carefully weighs up his next move after parting ways with Chippa United. He has listed South Africa as a preferred destination, fuelling speculation about a potential switch. This comes amid reported interest from Amakhosi, who have recently been grappling with a goalkeeping crisis.
The 27-year-old custodian has been in South Africa since February 2021, initially turning out for JDR Stars as he began his journey in the country. He has since featured at AFCON with his national team, significantly raising his profile on the continental stage. However, despite that pedigree, he is yet to play top-flight league football in South Africa, an opportunity his growing status appears to demand.
The 29-year-old's profile has been spruced up in recent years, especially after making himself Nigeria's number one goalkeeper and gracing the two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. He left the Chilli Boys when he appeared to have outgrown the club and needed more demanding opportunities elsewhere.
In a shocking twist of events, the Nigerian goalkeeper left the Chilli Boys after an impressive outing with the Super Eagles in the Africa Cup of Nations finals. Since he signed for Chippa from Katsina United in 2022, the goalkeeper has gone on to become a fan favourite. That explains why his exit was greeted with shock, as it was an unexpected move at all.
After falling to beat Morocco in the post-match penalties in the semi-final, this time around, the Super Eagles were sharp as they outclassed the Pharaohs. The West Africans clinched a record-extending AFCON bronze medal following their win over Salah-led Egypt. Now that the battle for bronze has been settled, all eyes are on the ultimate prize, which will be contested for on Sunday between Senegal and the hosts, Morocco.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Pharaohs and Super Eagles' third-place clash at Stade Mohamed V on Saturday. Both teams failed to reach the final and they are now embroiled in the fight for bronze to salvage some respect after they were touted as tournament favourites. None would want to lose a second successive match at this tournament.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Super Eagles' semi-final clash with the Atlas Lions at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Wednesday. The West Africans will be out to cause what might be the biggest upset of this tournament so far by eliminating the hosts. Both sides are just one game away from reaching the final and that makes Wednesday's game a high-stakes affair.
The Chilli Boys custodian has long been linked with a move to Amakhosi, but the transfer has yet to materialise. Even at the peak of his career, he reportedly attracted interest from the English Championship, Scotland and the Middle East. However, he has remained in Gqeberha, with calls growing for the Soweto giants to still consider making a move for him.
The Super Eagles saw their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico fade away after losing 4-3 to the Leopards on penalties at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday night. The encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, with a tired-looking Nigeria side, who had played 180 minutes against Gabon in midweek, taking their foot off the pedal after making a promising start to the game, and Congo capitalising to take the match to extra-time before eventually winning on penalties.
After a valiant fight by the Panthers in regulation time, the Super Eagles ultimately emerged victorious from this 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-offs semi-final battle in neutral Morocco on Thursday. Eric Chelle's men needed extra time to win 4-1 at Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium with the Galatasaray forward grabbing a double. They remain in contention to go to the global competition but still have other hurdles to plain.
South African players and teams have made their way into different categories to be recognised as the best on the African continent. In coming up with the nominees, the continental football governing body considered top performers for the period between January 6 and October 15.
