Akapembe, who plays for the Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande, has announced his retirement from football after sustaining serious injuries during the team's match against Chinese Premier League side Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old midfielder was involved in a collision with Shanghai Shenhua defender Wang Yuxi at the back post during the match. The collision resulted in Akapembe landing on the ground and suffering a severe head injury.
According to reports, Akapembe underwent surgery on Tuesday night and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at home. He hopes to be able to return to training as soon as possible but will not be available for any matches until he recovers fully.
Akapembe's departure comes just months after he made his debut for Guangzhou Evergrande, scoring three goals in seven appearances across all competitions. Despite his impressive performance, however, he struggled to find consistency in his performances and was often left out of the starting line-up.
Despite his struggles, Akapembe remains an important player for Guangzhou Evergrande and will continue to be an asset to their squad. His departure leaves a void in their midfield that could be filled by other players, including Guan Yuwei, who has been linked with a move to China's second tier clubs.
In conclusion, Akapembe's retirement from football is a significant loss for Guangzhou Evergrande and his teammates. However, they remain hopeful that he will be able to make a comeback in the near future and contribute to their success on the field.