Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has given a glowing review of Bafana Bafana and the level of competitiveness in SA top-flight football.
The Marumo Gallants shot-stopper is impressed by the level of competition in the Betway Premiership and how Hugo Bross has honed Bafana Bafana.
Having joined the league in July 2015, Akpeyi is set to clock a decade in the PSL this year. And what excites the 38-year-old about Bafana is how Broos has managed to grow the team beyond individuality.
While sharing his pain on how the Super Eagles of Nigeria have fared in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, he praised Bafana Bafana. Nigeria are in Group C together with Broos’ men, who are at the summit with 13 points.
In addition, Nigeria are fourth on the table with seven points, behind Benin and Rwanda, who have eight points apiece.
WHAT NIGERIAN GOALKEEPER DANIEL AKPEYI SAID
In an interview with FARPost, Akpeyi made a glowing review of Bafana and the Betway Premiership. He said Bafana’s growth beyond individuality has been their silver lining.
“The standing in the World Cup qualifiers group is a clear reflection that South African football is higher. You can have big players, but coming up with a team is something that many fail to do,” Akpeyi told FARPost.
“But South Africa has managed to do that with ease under Hugo Broos. Of course, as a Nigerian, I am disappointed with how we have played the World Cup qualifiers.
“But we all should follow how it has been done by South Africa. The growth and progress have been due to several factors, including team effort.
“We [Nigeria] could be like Bafana Bafana if we have players who play for the country and not for themselves. That has been the major difference between us; in South Africa, there is no individuality.
“I strongly believe that we [Nigeria] deserve to be in first position. Right now, we lack so many fundamentals that South Africa has. That also includes cohesion and identity,”
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