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Erol Akbay

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders have announced that they are now ready for the 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season that kicks off on April 2.

New Dutch coach Erol Akbay told a press conference on Thursday afternoon that he believes the boys are ready to roll.

“We may not talk of 100 percent but from what we have, we are ready for the season. We are not totally perfect but I think we are on that road to perfection. Highlanders is ready for the season,” said Akbay.

He is most likely going to start the season without the ever committed Erick Mudzingwa who has an injury.  Unless he makes a quick recovery, the gangly utility player might miss the opening match.

Bosso begin their hunt for success with an away trip to the Colliery where Hwange awaits them.

It will be Bosso’s only away match in the first five games of the season and with four of the other encounters penciled for Barbourfields Stadium, where they are yet to lose a match this season, good times might indeed be in store for their followers.

After the Hwange trip, Bosso will be home to FC Platinum, away to Tsholotsho at Barbourfields Stadium  and also away to Bulawayo City at Barbourfields Stadium as well before they welcome Chapungu at Emagumeni.

On paper those are easy 15 points for Highlanders, who are already in the final of the ZNA Army Commanders’ Shield where they will face either ZPC Kariba or Harare City.

Meanwhile, Akbay allayed fears that he had abandoned juniors that were promoted to the first team but instead, he said the boys will be gradually introduced into the first team.

“The juniors need time, a year, maybe two before they get into first team football.  Some are not physically fit,” the Dutchman had told a press conference.

On Thursday the coach, after being asked whether someone was exerting pressure on him said the youngsters were all part of his plans.

“I am not abandoning the juniors, they need to be introduced gradually but some like Prince Dube, Adrian Silla, Godfrey Makarutse are ready,” said Akbay.