The Sunday Mail
Ishemunyoro Chingwere
AFTER watching their title charge fizzle towards the business end of last season, one would expect Highlanders to be aiming for the top gong this year. But Bosso coach Erol Akbay claims that his main target this season is to lead Bosso to another top four finish, as was the case last time out.
Last year Bosso finished third, seven points behind champions Caps United in Akbay’s debut season in Zimbabwe.
It was an improvement from their sixth place finish of 2015 when they ended the campaign 20 points adrift of eventual winners Chicken Inn.
So impressive was Akbay’s start to life at Bosso last season that the team was at one time labelled favourites for the league crown after losing just one of their first 11 PSL matches.
However, it all went horribly wrong with a six-match winless streak between July 27 and August 20 ending their title ambitions.
Despite failing to deliver gold, Akbay endeared himself to the Bosso faithful with back-to-back league victories over eternal rivals Dynamos, a feat they had last achieved in 2006 on their way to their last league title triumph.
With the 2017 preseason now in full swing and with Bosso having made the biggest news of the close season by signing Dynamos outcast Rodrick Mutuma, Akbay has moved quickly to rein in expectations.
“Nothing is changing,” he said. “We have more or less the same players we had last season so it’s same players, same target. In my view if we can manage to finish in the top four or three, that will be a good achievement.”
Asked if this was not a preseason mind game calculated at easing pressure on his players, Akbay said inasmuch as he wanted the championship, he had to be realistic.
“I am not playing any game,” he said. “You asked my target and I am telling you what we want and what we think is realistic. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to be the champions. We will definitely play to win every match but I am being realistic.”
Bosso have renewed the contracts of most of their players with veteran goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda; defenders Honest Moyo, Erick Mudzingwa and Tendai Ngulube; as well as midfielders Simon Munawa, Rahman Kutsanzira, Godfrey Makaruse and Peter Muduhwa all extending their stays.
Gabriel Nyoni, who appeared to be on his way to Botswana, will also be at the club after his proposed move fell through.
But Former Warriors defender Felix Chindungwe and veteran goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni were offloaded.
