Daniel Akpeyi

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Daniel Akpeyi

| image = Daniel Akpeyi.jpg

| caption = Akpeyi at the 2016 Olympics

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|8|3|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://tournament.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF |title=2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=4 June 2018 |access-date=19 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809172227/https://tournament.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2018/pdf/FWC_2018_SQUADLISTS.PDF |archive-date=9 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}

| birth_place = Nnewi, Nigeria

| height = 1.87 m

| position = Goalkeeper

| currentclub = Marumo Gallants

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Gabros International

| years1 = 2005–2007

| clubs1 = Gabros International

| years2 = 2007–2010

| clubs2 = Nasarawa United

| years3 = 2010–2014

| clubs3 = Heartland

| years4 = 2014–2015

| clubs4 = Warri Wolves

| years5 = 2015–2019

| clubs5 = Chippa United

| caps5 = 92

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2019–2022

| clubs6 = Kaizer Chiefs

| caps6 = 57

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2022–2024

| clubs7 = Moroka Swallows

| caps7 = 35

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2024-

| clubs8 = Marumo Gallants

| caps8 = 1

| goals8 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2016

| nationalteam1 = Nigeria Olympic (O.P.)

| nationalcaps1 = 1

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2015–2021

| nationalteam2 = Nigeria

| nationalcaps2 = 18

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| pcupdate = 15 June 2024

| ntupdate = 14:33, 2 April 2021 (UTC)

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{fb|NGA}}}}

}}

Daniel Akpeyi (born 3 August 1986) is a Nigerian professional footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for South African club Marumo Gallants.{{soccerway|daniel-akpeyi/151910}}

Club career

Akpeyi began his career with Gabros International F.C. and was promoted to the first team in 2005, but moved to Nasarawa United F.C. in January 2007. He was an undisputed starter for both clubs.

Akpeyi joined Heartland F.C. for their 2010 CAF Champions League campaign, and was again first-choice. In February 2014, it was announced that he had left Heartland to join league rivals Warri Wolves,[http://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/140207/Akpeyi_bails_Owerri_for_Warri Akpeyi bails Owerri for Warri]; SuperSport, 7 February 2014 but a few days later, Heartland denied the move by an official statement, stating that they had no intention to sell their first choice goalkeeper.[http://allafrica.com/stories/201402111065.html Nigeria: Heartland to Warri Wolves – Akpeyi Going No Where!]; AllAfrica.com, 11 February 2014

In the following month, however, the deal was confirmed again and Akpeyi joined Warri Wolves.[http://thenationonlineng.net/new/wolves-on-full-throttle/ Wolves on full throttle]; The Nation, 11 March 2014[http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/salami-set-for-wolves-debut/155787 Salami Set For Debut] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508061143/http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/south-africa/salami-set-for-wolves-debut/155787 |date=8 May 2014 }}; Soccer Laduma, 10 March 2014

In 2015, he signed a two-year deal with Chippa.[http://www.kickoff.com/news/57175/psl-transfer-news-two-years-for-daniel-akpeyi-at-chippa-united Two years for Daniel Akpeyi at Chippa United] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714122018/http://www.kickoff.com/news/57175/psl-transfer-news-two-years-for-daniel-akpeyi-at-chippa-united |date=14 July 2016 }}. In 2019 he joined Kaizer Chiefs and his debut game was soweto Derby played in FNB stadium on 8 February 2019. Kickoff.com (15 July 2015). Retrieved on 18 August 2016.

In 2019, he signed with Kaizer Chiefs (nicknamed the Amakhosi).

After speaking to Nigerian national team coach Gernot Rohr about Akpeyi’s qualities, Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp saw to it that the Amakhosi management signed the Chippa United goalkeeper.{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMLMDK6S |title=Resilience: The Ernst Middendorp Authorised Biography |language=English}} Akpeyi went on to keep nine clean sheets in the league for Chiefs in the 2019/20 season. This remains the most clean sheets kept by a Chiefs goalkeeper in a league season since Itumeleng Khune kept 16 clean sheets in the 2017/18 league season.{{Cite web |title=Daniel Akpeyi Stats - Clean Sheets & Saves Data {{!}} FootyStats |url=https://footystats.org/players/nigeria/daniel-akpeyi |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=footystats.org |language=en}} Akpeyi was also named Absa Premiership Player of the Month for September and October in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs scoop double coach and player awards at PSL event |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2019-11-28-premiership-leaders-kaizer-chiefs-scoop-double-coach-and-player-awards-at-psl-event/ |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}

After being without a club in 2022, he was fancied by Sekhukhune United but the deal failed to materialise.

Personal life

Akpeyi married his long time girl friend Emmanuella Ebert-Kalu in December 2016. In July 2018, they welcomed their first child, Prince Jason Akpeyi, who was born in Port Elizabeth. He is credited for founding the Daniel Akpeyi Children Empowerment Foundation (Dacef) the non profitable organization was founded in 2020. The foundation aim is to help develop Africa by helping the less privileged children get quality Education.

Recently, the Dacef reached out to people in the locations of Gauteng, Johannesburg during the Covid19 worldwide lockdown.

International career

File:Daniel Akpeyi-Nigeria.jpg

Akpeyi was a member of the Nigeria national under-20 football team at 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in Netherlands and was in the 22-man squad before the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, but did not see action in either tournament. He was also called up to the 23-man squad for the 2014 African Nations Championship as a backup to Chigozie Agbim.[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25568201 Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi names weakened CHAN Squad]; BBC Sport, 1 January 2014

On 6 May 2014, Akpeyi was named in the 30-man provisional squad ahead of 2014 FIFA World Cup.[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27302995 World Cup 2014: Peter Odemwingie in provisional Nigeria squad]; BBC Sport, 6 May 2014

He made his first full cap in 2015, called in for the friendly vs. South Africa as a replacement for an injured Vincent Enyeama. He saved a penalty and was lauded for his strong keeping in his Man of the Match performance.[http://completesportsnigeria.com/siasia-praises-akpeyi/ Siasia Praises Akpeyi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331230104/http://completesportsnigeria.com/siasia-praises-akpeyi/ |date=31 March 2015 }}. Complete Sports Nigeria (29 March 2015). Retrieved on 18 August 2016.

He was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36623763|title=Kelechi Iheanacho included in Nigeria's Olympics squad|date=24 June 2016|access-date=25 June 2016|author=Oluwashina Okeleji|publisher=BBC Sport}}

In May 2018 he was named in Nigeria's preliminary 30-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.{{cite web |last1=Crawford |first1=Stephen |title=Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-every-world-cup-2018-squad-23-man-preliminary-lists/oa0atsduflsv1nsf6oqk576rb |website=Goal |access-date=11 July 2019 |date=4 June 2018}}

Akpeyi was included in the team's final 23-man list to 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite news |last1=Shittu |first1=Ibitoye |title=AFCON 2019: Iwobi, Ndidi, 18 other Nigerian stars who will be making debut |url=https://www.legit.ng/1242841-alex-iwobi-ndidi-18-super-eagles-star-making-afcon-debut.html |access-date=11 July 2019 |work=Legit.ng |date=11 June 2019}} He kept clean sheets in the team's first two matches.{{Cite web|url=https://t.guardian.ng/sport/daniel-akpeyi-has-been-unfairly-criticised/|title=Daniel Akpeyi has been unfairly criticised|date=12 July 2019|access-date=25 October 2020|archive-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720103921/https://t.guardian.ng/sport/daniel-akpeyi-has-been-unfairly-criticised/|url-status=dead}} In the final group match Ikechukwu Ezenwa conceded twice in Nigeria's 2–0 defeat to Madagascar. Akpeyi returned to the starting line up in the round of 16 match against the indomitable lions of Cameroon where he conceded 2 goals in his teams 3 - 2 victory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/in-depth-how-nigeria-comeback-kod-cameroon/11h9l5wtj5jia112m4j6mtj1gw|title=In-Depth: How Nigeria comeback KO'd Cameroon | Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|access-date=25 October 2020}} He was also in goal in the team's Q. Final victory over South Africa{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ng/lists/afcon-2019-nigeria-vs-south-africa-player-ratings-chukwueze/13vea4ifurnrb1vnca7u90ujii|title=Afcon 2019: Nigeria vs South Africa Player Ratings - Chukwueze reaps reward of stellar performance | Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|access-date=25 October 2020}} and their 2 - 1 S. final lost to Algeria.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/nigeria-1-vs-2-algeria-5-things-we-learnt-from-super-eagles-loss-in-afcon-2019-semi/1l41jfx|title=Nigeria 1 Vs 2 Algeria: 5 things we learnt from Super Eagles' loss in AFCON 2019 semi-finals|date=16 July 2019|website=Pulse Nigeria|access-date=25 October 2020}} Francis Uzoho was in goal for the third place match against Tunisia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-of-nigeria-beat-tunisia-1-0-to-win-3rd-place-game-of-afcon-2019/9m05x06|title=Bronze for Nigeria as Super Eagles beat Tunisia 1-0 to win 3rd-place game of AFCON 2019|date=17 July 2019|website=www.pulse.ng|language=en-US|access-date=9 August 2019}}

On 29 January 2020, Akpeyi prolonged his agreement with the South African Premier Soccer League by signing a two-year contract that will retain him with the Amakhosi until June 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/sport/football/akpeyi-signs-two-year-chiefs-deal/ar-BBZt7b9?li=AAIdK1J|title=Akpeyi signs two-year Chiefs deal|website=www.msn.com|access-date=1 February 2020}}

On 25 December 2021, he was selected by Nigeria interim coach Eguavoen as one of the 28-man squad final draft for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.{{Cite news |last=Lambley |first=Garrin |date=26 December 2021 |title=AFCON latest: Nigeria pick Kaizer Chiefs star in squad |language=en-ZA |work=The South African |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/soccer/psl-south-africa/afcon-latest-nigeria-pick-kaizer-chiefs-star-daniel-akpeyi-in-squad-africa-cup-of-nations-news-breaking/ |access-date=9 January 2022}}

Career statistics

=International=

Year	Apps	Goals
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|colspan="3"\|Nigeria
2015	1	0
2016	3	0
2017	3	0
2018	1	0
2019	10	0
Total\|\|18\|\|0

Honours

=Club=

Nigerian FA Cup: Winner 2011, 2012

=International=

Summer Olympic Games: Bronze Medal, Brazil. 2016
African Nations Cup: Bronze Medal, Egypt. 2019
FIFA U-20 World Cup: Silver Medal, Holland. 2005

References

External links

{{FIFA player|230229|Daniel Akpeyi}}
[http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=67527/bio/index.html Olympia Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104103233/http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=67527/bio/index.html |date=4 November 2009 }}

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Category:1986 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Nnewi

Category:Footballers from Anambra State

Category:Nigerian men's footballers