Legendary Jay-Jay Okocha says Nigerians are not bothered about South Africans' opinion on Kaizer Chiefs and Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
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Akpeyi has been subject to some criticism since making the move from Chippa United to Amakhosi during the January transfer window, but has done well as Nigeria's number one shot-stopper at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Okocha, who was at the Carling Black Label Cup media update event in Soweto on Monday, has given his backing to Akpeyi, saying he does not look at how the player has performed in the PSL, but is rather focused on his displays in the Nigerian national team jersey.
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"We are not bothered about your opinion, we are not bothered about how well he is doing in South Africa. We are happy that he is here because the South African league for us is one of the best in Africa, if not the best. We are happy that you've provided him with that good platform to improve and I think he is improving," Okocha said.
"When he comes to the national team it's a different ball game, you know. For me he is rightly our number one choice now and the more games he plays, the more confident he gets and he will get better. I'm not judging him on his stats here in South Africa, but what he's doing for the national team."
Akpeyi is likely to be in goal when the Super Eagles take on Bafana Bafana in the quarterfinals at Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday night (21h00).
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