It is rare to see a team with four senior goalkeepers and a manager that rotates them regularly. At Kaizer Chiefs, that is playing out as the team has rarely played the same goalkeeper in three straight matches. It is a strange kind of strategy, and the problem remains unsolved at the Amakhosi.
The situation is, however, about to change. Chiefs boss Stuart Baxter has decided to settle on one goalkeeper. He seems to have agreed on the best of the lot on his hands after the heavy rotation.
Stuart Baxter has used all four goalkeepers on his cards in the team’s opening seven matches. Captain Khune, Bruce Bvuma, Brandon Petersen and Daniel Akpeyi have all had their chances to impress the gaffer since the 2021/22 season commenced.
Of the four goalkeepers, Nigerian international Daniel Akpeyi is the latest to man the posts and has featured in their past two games. He seems to have impressed the gaffer as it now looks like he will continue in goal in their weekend tie against Chippa United.
“We’ve settled a little bit, not on giving the No. 1 to Daniel, but allowing him after a couple of good performances to throw down the marker and a challenge,” head coach Stuart Baxter said ahead of the match.
Commenting on Akpeyi, Baxter emphasized his experience, something he claims the team needs at the moment. He also lauded the player for his performance recently but denies that the number one shirt has been given to him. Baxter believes that with Akpeyi’s recent performance, it makes no sense to rotate again.
“Having said that, the two younger goalkeepers have been learning a lot from both Itu and Daniel. They’re experienced goalkeepers at the club, and we’re hoping the younger ones will, at some point, make it impossible for us to keep them out of the team because that will be the future of the club.
“At this moment, both Itu and Daniel are making sure that they’re great role models and they’re not making it easy.”