Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Ntokozo Sikhakhane, has weighed in on the goalkeeper he thinks should play for coach Ernst Middendorp's team against Orlando Pirates this coming weekend.
Chiefs and Pirates will play in their second Absa Premiership Soweto Derby of the season on Saturday, as they both continue chasing what has been elusive silverware for them in recent seasons.
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Having signed Daniel Akpeyi from Chippa United during the January transfer window and added him to Virgil Vries, Bruce Bvuma and Brylon Petersen for competition in Itumeleng Khune's absence due to injury, a decision on the goalkeeper to select for the Pirates match lies with the German coach as Amakhosi continue preparing for the eagerly-awaited match.
Speaking to the Siya crew, Sikhakhane advised that Amakhosi should consider giving Akpeyi his debut in the Soweto Derby.
"I think they can try him, they can give him a chance and I am sure he would also want to win the supporters' trust. He might start well, you never know," said Sikhakhane.
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The former midfielder believes that Vries might be low on confidence at the moment for the mistakes made in Chiefs' previous matches.
"We have to be honest, Vries' confidence at the moment is low. For a derby, you need players who are confident. With the mistakes he has been making and going to the derby, I don't think he is confident. The supporters have been booing him and he has been making mistakes and the media has been reporting that Chiefs is going to release him. You don't need a player like that for the derby. You need a player who is mentally ready. If he plays on Saturday and makes a mistake again people will destroy him, I'm telling you.
"Chiefs right now need someone who is going to start a new chapter because even if he doesn't perform well people will understand that it is his first game. Surely, the goalkeeper from Chippa (Akpeyi) understands that everyone wants to do well in the derby. He will be eager to keep a clean-sheet to say thank you to the club for believing in him. I would go for the new guy," added Sikhakhane.
