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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS coach Erol Akbay says he is mainly concerned about winning more than playing good football that produces no positive results.
The Dutchman also believes Bosso’s recent barren spell will end sooner than most critics think.
Akbay said the absence of key players was a contributing factor to their miserable run since the 2-0 loss to Chicken Inn that has seen the Bulawayo giants picking up just five points out of a possible 15.
Just one goal in five games is all there is to show for third-placed Bosso, who have also somehow benefited from a poor run by chief rivals Dynamos.
Bosso take on Mutare City Rovers at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon in a must-win game for the team in general and Akbay in particular.
“What is important for us is winning, why worry about good football while losing? For us winning is the only language we speak and what matters,” said Akbay.
He defended his style of play that has mostly seen Highlanders sitting back and allowing their opponents to come at them before trying to catch them on the break. That system has failed him three times this year.
“In modern football, you have to defend and attack only if certain of a kill. I know that people will always want to see us dominating, but you can’t win a game like that if you don’t have the players for such play,” said Akbay.
Bosso’s poor financial position resulted in the club not beefing their squad with experienced and quality players.
Highlanders only brought in Allan Gahadzikwa, who was offloaded by Caps United where he spent the better part of the first half of this season warming the bench.
They also recalled their junior player Nhlanhla Ndlovu from Division One side Amagagasi and thrust him into the deep-end of the attack together with the equally inexperienced Prince Dube.
The two youngsters have the potential of forming one of the deadliest strike force in the land given time, but the Bosso fans are not renowned for patience.
The coach is still within his target of a top four finish, but some fans believe the ultimate prize is still within reach and that has put a bit of pressure on the technical bench and the inexperienced players.
Akbay said they had spent the week working on their basic game, which some of the newly introduced players had not grasped.
“We are missing a number of players and we are trying to get our basic game back with these players. Throughout the week we have been practising that and these players have to play the way we want and if they do that then I assure you, Highlanders will be back to their old self again,” said Akbay. — @skhumoyo2000
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