Things look grey for Highlanders

FOR a team that plays in the famed black and white strip, things are looking pretty grey at Highlanders.

Bosso haven’t won in the five Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches they have played matches since the day coach Erol Akbay announced his decision to end his marriage with Bosso in December.

The Bulawayo side have also gone seven hours and 30 minutes of football without finding the back of the net.

Highlanders’ last victory was a 2-0 away win at Shabanie Mine, which came on July 30, five days before Akbay announced he would not renew his contract when it expires in December 2017.

Since then, Amahlolanyama drew 0-0 against Harare City before losing to ZPC Kariba, Tsholotsho FC, Ngezi Platinum Stars and Chapungu.

And this afternoon Highlanders face a buoyant Dynamos who are brimming with confidence after a 2-0 win over city rivals Caps United last Sunday.

Bosso’s away record has been poor — just two wins in 11 games played on the road — and a win over DeMbare at Rufaro will be shock result.

Many in the Bosso hierarchy believe Akbay’s announcement rocked the boat and accusations and counter-accusations have been traded between the coach and his employers about who is to blame.

The Bosso executive spent the better part of the week trying to rein in Akbay who has of late been criticising his employers for failing to own up to some of their promises.

Akbay was on Tuesday asked to write a report explaining some of his media statements in which he implied that Dynamos were better organised than Highlanders.

Akbay’s manager, Denford Mutashu, insists the Dutchman did the right thing to announce his decision to walk away well in time for Highlanders to start planning a future without him.

“That was the most professional thing to do . . . However, I have advised Akbay to remain calm in all this and respect the club. He is willing to see out his contract; he also wants this team to win games.

“That is the reason why we are not entertaining any offers until December. Preferably, we will look at external offers first because we wouldn’t want a situation whereby people will say Akbay took that decision because he already had a suitor.

“There are a lot of things that have contributed to this situation which are not related in any way to Akbay’s announcement.

“Maybe one day, the coach himself will reveal all that happened during his stay at Bosso. But for now we pray that the team reverts back to winning ways so that this wave subsides,” said Mutashu.