Highlanders rejected me – Emmanuel Jalai

ZIMBABWE International Emmanuel Jalai has revealed that Highlanders FC once had an opportunity to sign him before Dynamos snapped him up and helped launch his rise to becoming one of the country’s top defenders.

Speaking to Chiwoniso Mashakada on her podcast, Jalai said Bekithemba Ndlovu, one of Highlanders’ assistant coaches under head coach Benjani Mwaruwari, recommended him to the Bulawayo giants when he was still an unknown youngster.

Jalai said Ndlovu first spotted him while he was one of the coaches at How Mine and was impressed by his potential. The recommendation came at a time when the defender was trying to find his footing in Zimbabwean football.

After the Highlanders opportunity arose and deminished, Jalai also had a brief stint training with Bulawayo Chiefs. However, the trial lasted only two days after the coach at the time was not convinced by the youngster’s abilities.

“Coach Bheki once referred me to Highlanders before I was well known. I was coming from Zambia and he told them, ‘Take this young boy,'” said Jalai.

“At that time, my profile was not that strong and they said their slots were full, which was understandable.

“Even today, there is a Highlanders executive member who, whenever I meet him, tells me: ‘We were supposed to take you.’