Akbay wields axe

Sikhumbuzo Moyo
Senior Sports Reporter
NEW Highlanders coach, Erol Akbay, yesterday trimmed his pre-season training squad to 30 players.The Dutchman said he will model his team around the youngsters that featured in the final of the Bulawayo Football Festival against Premiership newcomers Bulawayo City on Sunday.

Although Akbay was not in a position to reveal the names of those that made the 30-man squad, he confirmed that he had identified his squad, which includes all players named by club chairman Peter Dube at the annual general meeting last month.
“We released some players today, but since this was my first day at training, I need a week or two to work with the remaining 30 and see if there is need to further trim. We will build the team around youngsters, but like I said, in two weeks’ time I will tell you everything,” said Akbay.

Youngsters Prince Dube, Adrian Silla and Percy Sibanda, who were impressive in Sunday’s final, made the grade, but it was not clear whether trialist Zambian goalkeeper Sitali Nyambwe will be part of the Bosso squad. The eccentric Nyambwe was spotted in the resort town of Victoria Falls yesterday.
Bosso already have three goalkeepers, first choice Ariel Sibanda, Njabulo Nyoni and Prosper Mathuthu.

Among the players released, according to sources, are former Quelaton, FC Platinum and Harare City player Mhleli Sibanda, the nomadic Kelvin Sibanda, Simba Sithole and Lawson Nkomo.

“The coach came in the morning in the company of Tsano (Cosmos Zulu) and said those that he will not call from a list he was holding should take their bags and leave. Amini (Soma-Phiri) was not there, but we later learnt that they had compiled the list as coaches on Monday,” said a player, who made the list.