The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
THE next 30 days will be fundamental, both on and off the pitch, for this “tiger”.
Muslims across the world began observing Ramadan on Wednesday and will refrain from eating or drinking anything — even a sip of water — from sunrise to sunset until April 21.
During this period, Muslims strictly observe prayers, read the Koran, and do a lot of charity work as they seek to get closer to God.
Dynamos vice-captain Emmanuel Jalai, the last of Lloyd “MaBlanyo” Chigowe’s tigers, also joined his fellow Muslims across the world in observing Ramadan.
Former Harare City and FC Platinum forward Silas Songani and Ngezi Platinum Stars skipper Qadr Amini are some of the local players who are united by the Muslim religion.
Veteran football administrator Twine Phiri, ex-Warriors team managers Sharif Mussa and Rafiq Adam and former Dynamos striker Makwinji Soma-Phiri are also part of the domestic game’s cast of this religion.
“Ramadan is something I have grown used to,” the 24-year-old Jalai told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“I was born into this religion and all things I have achieved career-wise I owe to Allah.”
The pint-sized right back, who stands 1.66m tall, is one of the shortest players in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
That is why his teammates call him “Chipopi”, loosely translating to puppy.
But Jalai is not meek and neither is he a puppy when it comes to the field of play.
His mental strength allows him to juggle Ramadan and the demands that come with playing for giants Dynamos, who host newly promoted Sheasham, in their second match of 2023 at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
DeMbare began their 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign with a crucial 1-0 win against bogey side Hwange at Barbourfields last weekend.
Although the club’s Man of the Match award was given to Tanaka “Kante” Shandirwa, Jalai was also one of the standout players.
Jalai, now the longest-serving player at DeMbare, will be key in the club’s quest to establish a decent start in the Premiership.
“It’s a process and it’s still a long way to go.
“As you can see, we are doing our best to bring the team back to its best,” Jalai said.
Dynamos last won the league title in 2014 and have never laid their hands on any major silverware, including the Chibuku Super Cup.
However, there are fresh hopes at DeMbare that new coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa might eventually lead the team to glory.
DeMbare were impressive for much of their encounter against Hwange, with their passing game catching the eye.
Their fans are also going gaga on social media, especially with the popular “kakai ngoma” statement.
“We have to keep on working hard and the most important thing is to remain on our feet.
“We cannot say we are now the best because we have won against Hwange, no. We have to remain focused,” warned Jalai.
He is part of a revamped DeMbare back four that now features the Moyo twins Kelvin and Elvis, and skipper Frank Makarati.
Donald Mudadi sits in front of the back four, with Shandirwa assuming the box-to-box role.
Former Bulawayo Chiefs star Arthur “Diego” Musiyiwa plays just behind strikers Eli Ilunga and Emmanuel Paga, with the marauding Tendai “Wasu” Matindife operating on the right wing.
Crowd favourite Denver Mukamba was used later on against Hwange and created the goal that was scored by another substitute Tinashe Makanda.
It looks like the 2012 Soccer Star of the Year will largely play that role this season.
But Jalai is expected to feature more prominently this season.
Maruwa admires Jalai’s discipline, hence his decision to appoint the former Young Warriors star, the club vice-captain.
“I want to thank the coaches for the trust they have put in me.
“It’s a responsibility that I should take care of. Because, when you are a leader, you have to lead by example.”
Jalai was brought to Dynamos by Chigowe in 2019.
With a meagre budget, Chigowe went about assembling unheralded and cheap players.
The likes of Edgar Mhungu, Munyaradzi Mawadza, Panashe Siziba, Munyaradzi Chipo, Ngandu Mangala, Tawanda Chisi, Tanaka Chanengeta, Walter Sande and Jarrison Selemani arrived at DeMbare.
Nigel Gatawa, Joseph Maliselo, Tinashe Simbo and the Ghanaian pair of Robert Sackey and Vincent Mberga also joined Dynamos.
Veterans Edward Sadomba and Munyaradzi Diya were available to guide the new arrivals.
Chigowe then famously claimed he had assembled a strong side ready to maul.
“I have assembled a group of tigers,” he claimed.
Of those “tigers”, only Jalai is still at Dynamos. “It’s all about working hard on and off the pitch.
“I would also like to thank coach Chigowe for the opportunity he gave me.
“I will always remember him as the first coach who gave me an opportunity to play in the PSL.”
He added: “Dynamos are a big brand, so you have to be at your best in every game you play.
“Each and every opponent you face gives their best. So, every game we play at Dynamos is like a cup final.”
Jalai is expecting another “cup final” against Sheasham today.
The Gweru-based side put up a decent performance in their PSL debut, holding 2022 runners-up Chicken Inn to a goalless draw at Mandava last weekend.
“It’s not going to be easy against Sheasham, because these guys, who are coming from Division One, always give their all, especially when they are playing against Dynamos.
“We expect them to give 120 percent effort,” said Jalai.
Sheasham did not buy many players from PSL teams, opting to retain the majority of players who did duty in Division One last season.
However, they splashed cash on former Dynamos player Tanaka Chidhobha.
Their coach — John Nyikadzino, a veteran of many PSL battles during his days at Chapungu United and recently Nichrut — is convinced his charges can improve from last weekend’s draw against Chicken Inn.
“We have areas to improve but overall, I’m happy with how the boys applied themselves,” Nyikadzino said.
“We now look forward to the match against Dynamos.”
And Maruwa is wary of the newboys.
“Sheasham are not an easy team. We need to be prepared well mentally.
“We are working on the mental aspect of the players; they think it’s going to be easy after beating Hwange; they think Sheasham is going to be a walkover.
“So, we have to tell them all the games are difficult,” he said.
DeMbare will have to improve on their finishing, as they missed at least five clear chances at Barbourfields.
Matindife, Paga, Ilunga, Makarati and Elvis Moyo all came close against Hwange.
“We played Sheasham in a friendly match last month and it wasn’t easy. But a lot of things have happened since then,” said Maruwa.
DeMbare edged The Construction Boys 1-0 at Ascot, with Makarati on target.
But today’s duel is not a friendly match; it is a real battle that will also be broadcast live on ZTN Prime at 3pm.
Fixtures (3pm)
Today: Manica Diamonds v Triangle United (Gibbo), Yadah v Hwange (Baobab), Dynamos v Sheasham (NSS)
Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo Chiefs (NSS)
■ Twitter: @LangtonGuraz
