Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has been advised to keep calm and not feel inferior regarding his battle for a starting position at the club.
Akpeyi has played the most minutes in the last two seasons of all goalkeepers at Chiefs but has found himself out of favour at the start of the season.
READ | Why Akpeyi started for Chiefs v Gallants
Itumeleng Khune conceded twice against Mamelodi Sundowns in an MTN8 opener and was subsequently dropped. With Bruce Bvuma next conceding three in three appearances after which Brandon Petersen was beaten four times against Royal AM.
The Nigerian shot-stopper was then handed a start last Sunday against Marumo Gallants and impressed in a goalless draw with Chiefs grabbing a point.
"It is always important to understand that being a goalkeeper is a delicate position and the only way to maintain your place is by making sure that whenever you are called upon you try as much as possible to avoid mistakes," says legendary keeper Williams Okpara.
"Do your best even when the team is losing 5-0 so that they say if it wasn't for the keeper, we would have conceded 13.
"Yes, we are humans, and we are bound to make mistakes, but always seek to not repeat them. Akpeyi must continue being true to goalkeeping by training hard, supporting the one who is playing and making use of his chance when it comes so that you stay in the team.
"This was my weapon when I was still playing at Pirates. I never surrendered the opportunity, and he must capitalise on his chance because goalkeeping is the only position where only one can play at a time, unlike outfield players which have situations where even four strikers can all play depending on the situation.
READ | Kaizer Chiefs in relegation form
"With keepers, it is one at a time and it is important to understand and support the one playing. I don’t think Daniel should even feel that he is not the first-choice because his chance is coming after others.
"He must believe in making a difference when he plays. It is important to be calm and never feel inferior. There is no need to feel inferior at Kaizer Chiefs because this is a bog club that will always want to have a strong goalkeeping department," says Okpara.
Chiefs are away to AmaZulu this weekend and it remains to be who Stuart Baxter will decide to play between the posts.
Scroll through the gallery below to see all the players discarded and listed by Chiefs this season
