Goalkeeper Akpeyi claims he handles criticisms with mental strength

- Daniel Akpeyi has come to speak out on how his Super Eagles teammate did not want him to get an invite into Super Eagles squad

- The 33-year-old has come under a backlash for committing errors while in goal for Nigeria

- Akpeyi represented Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup and the AFCON 2019 in Egypt

Daniel Akpeyi has claimed that he overhead his Super Eagles teammate telling somebody on the phone that he should not be invited to play in the national team.

The Super Eagles shot-stopper has come under immense pressure in his playing career from his teammates and the fans at large.

Akpeyi committed a blunder against Argentina in a pre-World cup at friendly that resulted into a set-piece and a goal.

The Kaizer Chiefs' goalie got a cold reception from fans and even one his Nigerian teammate.

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Akpeyi told ESPN: "What helps me is my mental strength. I really don't follow the news about what is going on, especially when it comes to soccer from Africa and this part of the world.

"Thank God I grew up with a mentor who taught me how to be mentally strong. With all I have learnt from my mentor, I can't give up on myself. I am not going to prove a point to anybody, I only have to prove a point to myself that whatever I have been trained with actually works.

"When we got to the hotel [after the Argentina friendly], I overheard one of my teammates in the other room telling somebody on the phone 'I don't think he should be invited to the national team again; how can he concede that kind of goal’.

"My own teammate! He was just outside the room next to mine and talking. This is a professional footballer who plays in Europe. But I thank God because it is by His grace that I am here."

Akpeyi was also blamed for not being able to keep Riyad Mahrez’s match-winning stoppage-time free-kick from goal when Nigeria faced Algeria in the semi-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Riyad Mahrez's goal that knocked Nigerian out in the semi finals of the 2019 AFCON tournament was blamed on the former Warri Wolves goalkeeper and Akpeyi believes it was uncalled for.

"I must say that maybe I was not in the right position where I should be," he continued.

"My coaches always say that if the position of the set play is very close, he will probably have a 20% chance of scoring on the other side. So I should have shifted a little."

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Victor Osimhen has become a target for several top European clubs this summer and former Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko has urged the Serie A champions to sign the Nigerian striker.

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The Super Eagles forward has been on the radar of Premier League Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool as has also been linked with a move to Spain.