Wenslus Murape
Langton Nyakwenda
GETTING in touch with Emmanuel Jalai on Friday afternoon is a bit tricky as the Dynamos star has a routine ritual for the day.
At noon every Friday, Jalai is involved in a prayer called Jummah in the Muslim religion.
The Dynamos vice captain is a devout Muslim and he thinks this has helped him play at the top level consistently in recent years.
The 25-year-old right-back has now clocked five years at Dynamos and is the longest player at the Harare giants in the team.
He now has 157 league appearances for DeMbare, who retained the Chibuku Super Cup title in November.
“I’m sure l have gained so much experience inside and outside football,” says Jalai.
“Every player gains more experience day by day. l am not the same person l was two years back.”
After four seasons of toiling in
the Premier Soccer League, Jalai was finally rewarded with a place on the 2024 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year calendar.
He was also part of the national squad that recently qualified for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals.
“What a year it has been for me!” Jalai says.
“Being selected among the soccer stars was a moment full of mixed emotions. I was excited and nervous at the same time, but, honestly, l was happy that finally l made it after five years in the top league.”
Veteran coach Lloyd Chigowe introduced Jalai to Premier Soccer League football during his first stint in charge of Dynamos in 2019.
Jalai had just graduated from the famed Aces Youth Academy.
He joined senior players like Edward Sadomba, Marshall Machazane and Munyaradzi Diya.
Others like Munyaradzi Mawadza, Panashe Siziba, Ngandu Mangala, Tinotenda Muringani and Jarisson Selemani were also part of that team.
All have since left Dynamos, except Jalai.
“It has been quite an interesting journey,” he said.
Zimpapers Sports Hub understands Jalai is being tracked by a number of clubs, both local and foreign.
Newly promoted Scottland FC are said to be interested in the roving right-back.
But Jalai is likely to stay at Dynamos, who will play in next year’s CAF Confederation tournament after winning the Chibuku Super Cup in November.
The Glamour Boys also featured in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup and came within 90 minutes of reaching the money-spinning group stage.
They won the 2023 Chibuku Super Cup after beating Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-0.
DeMbare retained the Cup after completing a double over Madamburo at Rufaro Stadium on November 30.
Jalai played a crucial role in both successes. This season, he missed only five league games and was consistent throughout.
He was rewarded with a first national team call-up.
“It was very important for me as a player because it’s every player’s dream to represent the country,” he said. Mixing with the guys playing outside the country was also key. I learnt a lot from the foreign-based players.”
Jalai got an early Christmas present from President Mnangagwa, who gave Warriors players US$6 500 each as a token of appreciation for making it to the 2025 Afcon finals in Morocco next year.
daniel chigunwe
