Afrigather 
The Portuguese tactician might be proven the exit door if he fails to get the previous African champions flying on the continental championships subsequent yr
Moroka Swallows goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has confessed he’s desperate to return to the Tremendous Eagles and regain the crew’s number-one gloves, Soccernet.ng stories.
Akpeyi, who has 18 caps for the nationwide crew, has not been part of the Tremendous Eagles squad since Jose Peseiro took cost of the three-time African champions in Might 2022.
In Akpeyi’s absence, none of goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, and Adeleye Adebayo, has impressed between the posts for Nigeria.
And with the Africa Cup of Nations event kicking off in Ivory Coasts in a couple of weeks, there have been requires Peseiro to search for a brand new number-one goalkeeper.
Whereas the previous Sporting Lisbon supervisor insists he’s happy with Uzoho, Akpeyi has revealed he continues to attend for his likelihood to return to the nationwide crew.
Requested in an interview if he might be the reply to Nigeria’s goalkeeping disaster, Akpeyi stated: “I feel I’m higher than yesterday. At this time is healthier than yesterday. It’s simply that (I’m) ready for the chance.”
The Tremendous Eagles missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and kicked off the 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign on a disappointing observe after stumbling to 2 1-1 attracts towards Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Rwanda and South Africa are forward of Nigeria in Group C, with just one nation assured a qualification ticket in every group.
Nonetheless, Akpeyi stays satisfied that the Tremendous Eagles will return to their peak after their false begin, citing the instance of Argentina, who misplaced to Saudi Arabia within the opening rounds solely to grow to be world champions on the final day.
“In Qatar, Argentina by no means did properly from the start,” Akpeyi famous. “However they ended up profitable (the World Cup).
“Soccer has modified. No crew is an underdog. Everyone is stepping up, yr after yr. I have to say that presently, we have to perceive that side of the sport and never as a result of you have got all of the gamers taking part in in Europe and also you count on to knock all people down.
“You don’t must get three factors in your lodge room. It’s a must to get three factors on the sector. And that’s what we weren’t in a position to do. However I’m certain the coach already sorted it out the place it must be fastened and all that.”
Akpeyi, 37, began in 4 of Nigeria’s six matches on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the place the Tremendous Eagles gained a bronze medal.
