Kaizer Chiefs manager, Stuart Baxter, says he hopes to see the experience of Nigeria international, Daniel Akpeyi and South Africa legend, Itumeleng Khune, rub off on the club’s young goalkeepers.
Akpeyi made his first appearance for the club in the 2021/22 season in a goalless draw against Marumo Gallants, an encounter that will be remembered for his heroic which kept the Soweto giants in the game.
The Amakhosi this season have made use of their four goalkeepers, Brandon Petersen had previously started in the club’s 4-1 defeat to Royal AM, with Bruce Bvuma featuring in the three matches before that, while club captain Khune made his solitary appearance in the MTN 8 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns last month.
Reacting to the draw, Baxter said he planned to use Akpeyi and Khune’s experience in grooming the younger keepers.
“We’ve got four goalkeepers that are potentially number ones,” Baxter said. “You can look at the long term of the club, the assets are Bruce and Brandon.
“Itu and Daniel give us that (immediate) experience and we are hoping they will help and assist in the development of our two younger goalkeepers.
“We have to take every opportunity we can, if all things are equal, to give our younger goalkeepers the experience that will make them senior goalkeepers. That’s where we are.
“At some point, you say well let’s allow them to step back a little bit and give the more experienced guys the shirt in this situation. That’s the rationale behind our thinking.”
Credit: punchng.com
