After surrendering three second-half goals in Saturday’s final at the Stade de France, Nigeria’s goalie was chastised.
Mohamed V Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi took to social media to thank his fans following their 3-0 loss to Al Ahly in the Caf Champions League final.
On Saturday, Akpeyi was in goal for the South Africans as they were defeated by the Red Devils in Casablanca.
The Nigeria goalkeeper has been chastised for his performance as Mohamed Sherif, Mohamed Magdi Kafsha, and Amr Al Sulaya scored to propel Pitso Mosimane’s team to victory.
As they defended their 2020 trophy, Al Ahly won their 10th Champions League championship and their second in a row.
Akpeyi expressed sadness with the outcome, but he praised his fans for sticking with him in the face of hardship.
“Every champion has once lost a fight (unfortunately), but they’ve never lost their dream since nature does conform to them at the proper time,” Akpeyi said on Instagram.
“To everyone who has stood by them through thick and thin, I applaud your courage; when the limitations are breached, all the joy that is presumed to be gone will be sent to you in one package; I am pleased to have traveled this far.”
Meanwhile, former Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Olumide Akinroyeje has cleared Akpeyi of any culpability for the defeat.
“I believe that blaming Akpeyi for Kaizer Chiefs’ defeat against Al Ahly is unjustified. He gave it his all, and we must admit that the Egyptians were the superior team,” Akinroyeje told Goal.
“The red card undoubtedly delayed the South Africans and disrupted their game plan against the well-organized Egyptians, but they did not assist themselves by preferring to sit back rather than move forward.
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I knew the Chiefs were going to make mistakes after watching how they defended in the second half. This put pressure on the defenders, and the goalie was supposed to pay for it.
“Defense in football begins in front, not only at the final line.” As a result, I disagree with those who claim Akpeyi lost his team the victory. The scoreboard did not accurately represent his performance.”
