Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has revealed he feared for his life during the xenophobic attacks which rocked South Africa recently.
Akpeyi has been criticised for being error-prone since arriving at Naturena from Chippa United in January this year.
However, he justified his inclusion in Ernst Middendorp's team this season and in his last game, he produced a man of the match performance against Baroka despite coming on as a first-half substitute.
The 33-year-old Nigeria international answered a question posed to him by the South African media regarding xenophobia.
"To be honest, at one point, I was a bit worried because I understand I’m not one of the most loved by the fans. I'm sorry to say that," Akpeyi told reporters.
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"So, it always gets to me when I have to play and I say, ‘Daniel, you have to do well!’ Because I might be someone that they turn around against," he said.
Akpeyi admitted he's always under immense pressure to perform even when a match is supposed to be normal.
"Even when it’s supposed to be a normal football game, at the end of the day, because of our crazy mentality, things might just turn around."
The lanky shot-stopper revealed Amakhosi fans wanted him to be dropped from the starting line-up soon after Itumeleng Khune's return to full fitness.
"So, somehow I was beaten between two options, but it is what it is at the end of the day. I have to just make up my mind and put my foot down," concluded Akpeyi.
