Akbay readies for battle as Bosso leave to face Dembare

HIGHLANDERS leave Bulawayo this morning for Harare ahead of their blockbuster Castle Lager Premiership encounter with perennial rivals Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow. The match will be beamed live by giant sports broadcaster SuperSport.

Chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede, speaking during the club's weekly press conference yesterday confirmed that Amahlolanyama, probably at their best form to end Dembare's decade-long league dominance over them, said they expect to be in Harare at 12PM.

Rufaro Stadium is expected to be filled to the rafters with both sets of fans looking forward to the encounter.

Highlanders have been mean on the road so far this season, scoring seven goals and conceding one in the two matches they have played so far, hammering Hwange 3-0 at the Colliery and Ngezi Platinum 4-1 last weekend at Mhondoro.

However, coach Erol Akbay is under no illusion of the task that lies ahead. "I'm fully aware of what we will be up against on Saturday. I know what it means to lose to them and certainly what a win means. It's serious business but we will see," he said.

The Dutch coach though, is a bit worried by the change of venue from the National Sports Stadium to Rufaro's Astroturf.

"It's a little bit unfortunate because we have not trained in such a field but I hope the boys will handle that. It might turn out to be a blessing for us though because I like high tempo football and in such a field you can do that," said Akbay who will be the sixth coach since Methembe Ndlovu left to meet Dynamos.

The other five, Reuben Tsengwa, Mohammed Fathi, Mkhuphali Masuku, Kelvin Kaindu and Bongani Mafu all came and went without picking up maximum points against Dynamos.

Highlanders will welcome back young striker Prince Dube and hardworking Bruce Kangwa who missed Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Harare City. Dube was with the Under-20 national side for the African Nations Cup qualifier against Cameroon while Kangwa was rested following an injury.

Defender Tendai Ndlovu is still out after his aerial collision with Erick Mudzingwa on Wednesday.