Akpala is a product of the Pepsi Football Academy in
Lagos. His first professional contract came in April 2003 with Bendel United Football Club, a Division One club in
Benin City. He later joined
Bendel Insurance FC, Benin City in the Premier Division of the Nigerian Professional League, in February 2005. He was to finish as joint top scorer with 13 goals in 19 games. Subsequently, Akpala was signed by the
Royal Charleroi S.C. of Belgian
Jupiler Pro League in January 2006. He wore the number 27 jersey. He had a very successful campaign in
2007–08 as he topped the scorers chart with 18 goals. On 18 July 2008, Akpala joined
Club Brugge signing a contract until 2013. On 22 August 2012,
Bundesliga club
Werder Bremen signed Akpala after facing competition from West Ham United and Celtic. On 19 August 2013, Akpala began a week-long trial with English
Championship side
Reading. On 3 September 2013, Akpala signed for Turkish
Karabükspor on a season loan. In 2014 the deal was made permanent and he left Bremen for good. However, only after another year, in July 2015, he returned to Belgium, signing for
K.V. Oostende on a three-year contract. In April 2021, he joined
Romanian club
Dinamo București, signing a contract until the end of the 2020–21 season. ==International career==