Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has leapt to the defence of Kaizer Chiefs and Nigeria shot-stopper Daniel Akpeyi, who has come in for some criticism ahead of the Super Eagles' Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against South Africa.
Akpeyi's performances in Egypt have come under the spotlight, with Gernot Rohr's side having conceded four goals en route to the quarters, while finding the back of the net on five occasions.
Nigeria boss Rohr highlighted his side's defensive vulnerabilities prior to the clash against South Africa, but Premier League star Ndidi has backed Akpeyi to prove his critics wrong as the Super Eagles continue their mission to secure a fourth Afcon title.
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"I know Akpeyi. I know he can prove those critics wrong," Ndidi told Soccer Laduma.
"But it is not just about him, it is about the team. So I think he will protect our team well.
"He has been doing it so far at the Afcon and I think he will do it again."
Bafana and Nigeria clash at the Cairo International Stadium tonight, with the match set to kick-off at 21:00.