Bosso executive 'dictates' team selection

THE Highlanders executive can no longer cope with boundaries within the club amid revelations that Bosso's powers-that-be have demanded to see the team's technical team field a host of youngsters in their starting XI.

This comes against a backdrop of being evaded by positive results after fielding seasoned arsenal that include Allen Gahadzikwa, Tendai Ngulube, Simon Munawa, Benson Phiri, Ralph Matema and Democratic Republic of Congo's Yves Ebabali among others.

A source within the Bosso technical team said:

"We had a meeting on Monday with the executive and they openly told us to up our game. They tasked us to choose the best possible starting eleven. In that regard, they asked us to consider picking youngsters who are naturally itching to perform and do well for the team.

"We were told that Bosso faithfuls are dying to see the likes of Brian Banda, Denzel Khumalo, Adrian Silla, King Nadolo, and Ray Lunga in action. The response from us the coaches was that some of the club's young players are not yet ready for first team duty. "

Highlanders chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube said while the team has been blowing hot and cold, their coaches needed inspiration in team selection.

"Football is made up of all of us. There is a time when results will not come so the best will be to remain united. Our players, coaches and fans get frustrated when results do not come but losses do happen in football. We need to motivate each other. We need a collective effort, a collective support that can inspire our coaches in their team selection and in how to lead our team. Everyone has a responsibility," said Dube.

Bosso head coach Erol Akbay, who is reportedly being courted by ambitious Yadah FC, recently made clear his intentions to leave the Bulawayo giants when he shocked all and sundry, including the club executive, at a Press conference that his marriage with the Bulawayo giants would come to an end in December 2017.

His relationship with Highlanders supporters has been a love and hate affair since he took over in 2016.

Akbay, who led the Bulawayo giants to a third place finish in his first year in local football last season, has decided against renewing his contract with Bosso due to the precarious financial situation at the club.

The Dutchman is in the last five months of his two-year contract which gives him the right to negotiate with another club even though he is still employed by Bosso.

If a player or coach enters the last six months of an existing contract, he/she will virtually be a free agent and can negotiate with another club without violating any football statutes.

"Yes, of course, if you are not going to renew your contract, it means you are open to everything, including local Premiership teams. I'm prepared to negotiate with whoever is willing to take me on board," Akbay was recently quoted as saying.

"I can't really say there is any team of choice for now but it's about the total package, what is the club offering? What is certain though is that I will not be at Highlanders next season. I will stop being coach of Highlanders at the end of this year. I don't know what I will do but I will stop coaching this club at the end of the year. There are a lot of reasons but the biggest is the financial situation for me. That's why it is not possible anymore to work for Highlanders," added the Dutch gaffer.

Bosso's financial problems started at the beginning of the year when their principal sponsor, BancABC, significantly reduced its funding to the club.

In April, Akbay missed a number of training sessions after going on strike following the non-payment of his signing-on fees.

The coach finally returned to training but since then it was evident that the relationship between coach and club had been affected.