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Erol Akbay

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
PLAYERS that want to join Highlanders in the July transfer window must be exceptionally talented and possess a special quality befitting the status of the club, head coach Erol Akbay has said.

The Dutchman told a media briefing yesterday that he conducted trials for nine players since Monday, but felt that although they are talented, they lacked the quality needed to play for the Bulawayo giants.

Among the players that attended the trials is the duo of defender Tinashe Mpofu and striker James Salima from Chegutu Pirates, formerly home to United States of America-based Mubariki Chisoni.

Salima has scored 10 goals in 11 starts for the Zifa Northen Region Division One outfit, but Akbay still felt he was not good enough for the Castle Lager Premiership table toppers.

Indications though are that Highlanders will sign him and loan him to another club or their developmental side in the Zifa Southern Region Division One league Bosso 90. Salima is also on champions Chicken Inn’s radar.

“I have seen the two players (Salima and Mpofu), but they are not the quality we want at Highlanders. If you want to play for Bosso, don’t forget that you need to have a special thing and that is what I am looking for,” said Akbay.

“All the players we have had in the past days are good players, but they lack that special quality. If I choose someone, he has to be exceptional. All my players now have special qualities and if I am to bring in a new player, it has to be an exceptional case,” he said.

Highlanders have three free slots from the 22 senior players allowed following the departure of striker Knox Mutizwa for South African Premiership side Bidvest Wits.

Mutizwa played his last game for Bosso in their 1-0 win over ZPC Kariba on Sunday. They had registered 29 players, including Webster Chingodza, whose contract expired yesterday.