Zimbabwe Premier League heavyweights Highlanders plunged deeper into crisis after enduring a humiliating 1-0 defeat at home to bottom-placed Tsholotsho in a rescheduled matchday 22 encounter at Barbourfields Stadium.
Wednesday's result represents Highlanders' third loss in five matches and seventh overall, effectively shattering any prospects of resurrecting the dream of a first title since 2006.
Tsholostho, who had gone into the encounter without a win in 21 matches, took the lead through a Lucky Ndlela strike in first-half stoppage time and Highlanders just could not muster enough fighting spirit to salvage the afternoon.
Bosso remain in seventh place in the standings, 13 points behind leaders Chicken Inn with 12 matches remaining. The Bulawayo giants have, however, played one game less.
On current form though, Highlanders are more likely to fall further behind than close the gap.
The Bulawayo giants have struggled to find their rhythm ever since the mid-season departures of key strikers Prince Dube and Rodrick Mutuma, but while some fans are lambasting the executive for failing to bring in replacements, others trace the team's predicament directly to technical bench.
Akbay has been a hero at Highlanders ever since his arrival at the start of last season, whereupon he transformed a team that resembled a mid-table outfit at best into genuine title contenders.
The beginning of the current campaign brought with it massive expectations and Highlanders even looked the part after initially managing to keep pace with leading pack.
That now seems ages ago, and some Highlanders followers are frustrated that Akbay has not been robust enough in integrating some of the club's exciting young players into the first team.
Meanwhile resurgent champions CAPS United made it three wins in three matches after dispatching troubled Black Rhinos 2-1 at the National Sports Stadium.
Rhinos defender Brighton Chandisaita deflected a Ronald Pfumbidzai corner kick into his own nets to hand CAPS the initiative just before the break. The army side, starring at the scary prospect of a sixth straight loss, rallied to level matters with seven minutes remaining but there was still time for forward Dominic Chungwa to strike a winner for CAPS with his forth in three matches.
The victory lifted CAPS up into 10th position in the standings with 27 points from 17 matches. The Green Machine's three wins in the seven days which have come against sides in the top half of the table.
They first stunned third-place FC Platinum 2-1 last Wednesday before trouncing title favourite Ngezi 3-0 at the weekend.