Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says Chippa United goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has a chance of making the squad for the Russia 2018 World Cup, according to allnigeriasoccer.com.
Some fans of the Super Eagles have called for Rohr to exclude the former Warri Wolves keeper from his World Cup plans after Akpeyi made mistakes that affected the Eagles.
“He has good chances to be one of our three goalkeepers for the World Cup,’’ Rohr told Soccer Laduma.
“Unfortunately our first-choice keeper Carl Ikeme is still suffering from acute leukaemia. We had a recent injury to Ikechukwu Ezenwa, but he will soon return to fitness.
“We have also discovered a young keeper in Francis Uzoho, who plays for Deportivo La Coruna. He played well against Argentina in the second half (of the friendly game in Russia on November 14).
“Akpeyi was a bit unfortunate in our only defeat against South Africa (which ended 2-0 in favour of Bafana Bafana in Uyo).
“But he is working hard, he is fighting and he has a chance to be part of our World Cup squad.’’
The 31-year-old Akpeyi has posted seven clean-sheets in 16 appearances for Chippa United in the ABSA Premiership this season.
Rohr last week named Akpeyi in his 28-man squad for the friendly encounters against Poland in Wroclaw on March 23 before travelling to London to clash against Serbia four days later.
“But he is working hard, he is fighting and he has a chance to be part of our World Cup squad.’’
The 31-year-old Akpeyi has posted seven clean-sheets in 16 appearances for Chippa United in the ABSA Premiership this season.
Rohr last week named Akpeyi in his 28-man squad for the friendly encounters against Poland in Wroclaw on March 23 before travelling to London to clash against Serbia four days later.
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