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Erol Akbay

Tedious Manyepo Sports Reporter
UNDER-FIRE Highlanders coach Erol Akbay says Bosso are playing some of the best football in the domestic Premiership and it’s just unfortunate results have gone against them in recent weeks. The Dutchman revealed he is unfazed by championship-chasing Dynamos’ rich form and believes his team has what it takes to stop the Glamour Boys when the country’s two biggest football clubs clash at Rufaro on Sunday.

The coach is under pressure following a string of poor results by his team in recent weeks which has pushed the 2006 champions out of the running for the title.

In sharp contrast, Akbay’s opponents are enjoying a purple patch which has seen them winning six games on the trot, including a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over CAPS United in the Harare Derby last Sunday at the National Sports Stadium.

But, Akbay is unmoved by his team’s fiercest rivals’ current form after he recorded a double over the Glamour Boys last year.

“My team plays good football and they are certainly one of the best clubs playing a flowing brand of football in the country,’’ said the Dutchman.

“In all the matches which we have played this season, I think we have been on top of things and even our opponents can confess.

“It is just unfortunate that we have always been unable to score in almost every game which we have lost or drawn.

“We need to sharpen our strike-force and in the game against Dynamos I think every player is motivated to do well. We know that Dynamos is a good team and the match will be tough but we are going to Rufaro looking for a win to kick-start our revival mission which is what the fans and everyone at Highlanders want.

“The strikers are doing well and even defenders are showing the hunger to score goals. We have been poor but playing against Dynamos is always a motivation for the players.

“We need to start winning because we have been losing points and if we want to start winning then we have to beat Dynamos to build confidence in our players.” Akbay said he will miss veteran Eric Mudzingwa, who is sidelined by injury, and whose leadership qualities would have been key in the big match.

But the Dutchman said he has equally good replacements in his ranks.

Dynamos have hiked entrance fees for Sunday’s tie between the two giants with the cheapest ticket pegged at $5.

Those who wish to watch Zimbabwe’s biggest fixture in the VIP arena will have to fork out $10 while the VVIP stand is going for $20.

Dynamos secretary-general, Webster Marechera, defended the gate charges saying the club also needs to benefit from gate-takings.

“Gate charges for the Dynamos versus Highlanders match at Rufaro on Sunday have been pegged as follows — Rest of Ground $5, VIP $10 and VVIP $20,” said Marechera in a statement.

The Harare Derby at the giant National Sports Stadium had the same charges and over 19 000 fans paid their way to watch the contest.