Highlanders coach Erol Akbay will have to go solo on the bench as the second half of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season kicks off with his assistant coaches Amini Soma-Phiri and Cosmas Zulu still suspended as their disciplinary case drags on.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
The Bulawayo football giants are away to neighbours Bulawayo City at Barbourfields Stadium on Thursday.
The two coaches were suspended on June 16 for trading insults in front of players on two separate occasions.
Yesterday, club chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube said the case could not be finalised again at the weekend as the two were not available.
“We must communicate with them (Soma-Phiri and Zulu). When it’s public knowledge it’s unfair for somebody to read about themselves in the paper. Zulu is out of town and Soma is attending a funeral. Only after we speak with them can the decision be made public,” Dube said.
With Akbay only arriving today from the Netherlands, it means he will only have two days with the team, which has been training under developmental side Division One outfit Bosso 90 coach Melusi Sibanda, before the Bulawayo City tie.
Akbay single-handedly took charge of the team in the 3-0 win of Hwange, the goalless draw against How Mine and the 1-0 win over Yadah FC.
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The Dutch mentor will have to redraw his plans after the club lost one of its key players, Roderick Mutuma, who has since joined Yadah FC.
Highlanders also terminated the contract of Equatorial Guinean striker Manuel Esono Obiang Buale who could not obtain his work permit after he reportedly falsified information to the club.
The club is not in a position to make big name signings and Akbay will have to work with the resources that are available.
