Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DYNAMOS skipper Emmanuel Jalai has turned into the unlikely saviour for the Glamour Boys and now he’s got the medal to prove it.
The 26-year-old defender, who’s been the heartbeat of DeMbare’s late season fightback, scooped the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League October Player of the Month award after steering his side out of the relegation quicksand. “Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me,” he told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“It’s a huge honour to receive this award and thanks to my teammates for helping me become the player and person I am today. It’s all about hard work and self belief.
“But there’s still more work to be done. We just have to push as a team until the last game. Credit to the boys for what they have done so far.”
Jalai has been a rock at the back and a leader in spirit, and when it mattered most, he stepped up to smash home the winning penalty in Sunday’s 1–0 triumph over Bikita Minerals at Rufaro.
That goal dragged Dynamos two points clear of danger and left their fans breathing again, especially after rivals Triangle and GreenFuel failed to collect wins at the weekend.
But the battle isn’t over.
With two games to go, DeMbare are still walking a tightrope. Coach Kelvin Kaindu, who has masterminded a nine-match unbeaten streak since taking over, says they won’t rely on others to survive.
“We said we’re not going to use calculators to avoid relegation,” said Kaindu.
“We want to win our own games, and that’s what we’ve done. Hopefully, we maintain our unbeaten record. Even on days we don’t play our best, we’ve found ways to get results.”
Kaindu’s faith and calmness have steadied the ship, and the players are buying into his message. He has restored belief to a squad that looked broken two months ago. “I think the objective was to survive relegation, and we’re quite hopeful,” he said.
“Only one team has been confirmed relegated. We’ll wait for the final whistle of the season.”
DeMbare now face Yadah at Ngoni on Saturday before closing their campaign at home against FC Platinum. With ten teams still trapped in the survival dogfight, the Premier Soccer League has ordered all matches to kick off simultaneously this weekend.
Dynamos’ recent surge, six wins and three draws, has sparked hope that the giants can finish the season with their heads held high.
“Like I said, we don’t want to depend on phone calls to see how other teams played,” Kaindu added.
“If we can stay unbeaten, it will build confidence going into the final match day.”
He also saluted his predecessors for holding the fort in tougher times.
“The coaches before me came in difficult times when results weren’t coming. We haven’t changed much, maybe just the language and confidence. Dynamos is a big brand. We shouldn’t be fighting relegation.
“We’ve told ourselves we won’t celebrate surviving. Our objective is to challenge for the championship. It’s not about me, it’s about trusting the project and the support from our fans.”
Saturday Fixtures:
ZPC Kariba v TelOne (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Herentals (Mandava), Yadah v Dynamos (Ngoni), Bikita Minerals v Simba Bhora (Sakubva), Highlanders v Manica Diamonds (Barbourfields), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Chicken Inn (Baobab), CAPS United v MWOS (Rufaro), Triangle v Kwekwe United (Gibbo), Scottland v GreenFuel (Wadzanayi).
Mathew Masinge