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Erol Akbay

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ players are quickly adapting to the possession football style demanded by their new Dutch coach Erol Akbay, according to captain Felix Chindungwe. Bosso employed a 3-4-3 formation in Akbay’s first game in charge against Gilsport Lions of Botswana in an international friendly at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Chindungwe said the boys were adapting well to Akbay’s way of doing things, but conceded that there was still more work to be done before they could fully grasp the Dutchman’s philosophy.

“Every coach has his way of doing things, but I must say we’re adapting well to the coach’s tactics. “As you know Highlanders are known for keeping possession and this is what the coach is also emphasising on,” said Chindungwe.

Akbay expressed dissatisfaction with Sunday’s performance of his four-man midfield of Tendai Ngulube, Bruce Kangwa, Simon Munawa and Godfrey Makarutse, saying they needed to improve.

The strikers also missed a number of gilt edged chances, with last season’s top goal scorer Knox Mutizwa being the main culprit.

“The other two departments (defence and strikers) played well, but I felt our guys in the midfield didn’t really come to the party.

“We’ll work on that as we fine tune the team ahead of start of the season,” said Akbay.

He will have another opportunity to assess the boys in action when Highlanders take on Chicken Inn in a ZNA Commander Charities Shield semi-final game on Sunday.