Enyeama earned his 100th cap for Nigeria against Uganda last week but he sustained a back injury in a training session before the trip to South Africa for another friendly on Sunday and Akpeyi was a late call up for the trip.
The Warri Wolves goalkeeper gave a good account of himself in Nelspruit including stopping a second half penalty kick and made several eye catching saves to deny Bafana Bafana the chance to beat Nigeria.
Even though he eventually conceded a goal at the death through the strike of Mbongani Zungu after his defenders were unable to clear the ball from danger, King, who was a former goalkeeper of Shooting Stars and Abiola Babes, told Goal that there was hope for Nigerian football after Enyeama.
“To be frank with you before now, I was developing cold feet regarding whom I can choose as a replacement to Vincent Enyeama and I fear for my country if the Eagles’ first choice should retire without a capable replacement," King told Goal.
"But after watching the friendly match against South Africa, I have dispelled my doubts and I know that we have many goalkeepers in the premier league that can hold their own."
King saluted the courage of the Eagles technical crew and charged them to continue to groom other goalkeepers in the premier league so that Nigeria’s senior national team will have a large pool of goalkeepers to rely on when the chips are down.
“Akpeyi was awesome against South Africa but I want to implore the coaches to also discover more goalkeepers so that we will have enough of them to rely on if Enyeama and others call it quits with the Super Eagles.”
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