Daniel Akpeyi: Former Nigeria keeper opens up on coaching dreams

Former Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has opened up on transitioning into coaching as he undergoes internship at PSL side TS Galaxy.

Akpeyi officially announced his retirement from professional football in December last year, after leaving Betway Premiership club Marumo Gallants at the end of the 2023-24 season.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Akpeyi Daniel (@danielakpeyi)

The 39-year-old, who has already completed his CAF C coaching Licence, is required to undertake an internship with a club as a prerequisite to the CAF B Licence.

He said: “I think firstly I am grateful to the team, TS Galaxy, and most especially to the chairman of the team, Mr Tim Sukazi, for availing me the privilege of me doing my internship with the team, just on a short notice and was able to grant me that opportunity,” Akpeyi told iDiski Times.

Daniel Akpeyi had 18-caps for Nigeria

“You know, I’m grateful to the head coach [Adnan Beganovic], grateful to the assistants and staff members for making the environment conducive for me to be able to do my internship.

“My internship is required from CAF because when you do your C licence, which I’ve done, before you do your B licence, you are required to do an internship with any of the professional team, you know, for days before you can afford to you do your CAF B licence.

“So, I’m doing my B licence, I’m about to do my B licence, so I had to do my internship so that I can be able to grant them the access to do my B licence.

“It’s not particularly on the goalkeeping department, you know, it’s overall coaching, but I’m going to be moving to goalkeeping department, during my B licence.

“But for now it’s just general coaching. Thank you very much. And like I said, I’m doing my C Licence, I just needed to do my internship for me to get access to my B Licence.”

The 18-time Nigeria capped keeper added that his internship is geared towards acquiring knowledge in general coaching methods despite being a goalkeeper.

Akpeyi’s club experience started from Gabros International, Nasarawa United, Heartland FC, Warri Wolves, Chippa United, Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows.