Online Reporter
Mugove Chigada-Deputy Sports Editor
AT some point in January, Scottland and Durban City were in a tug of war over the signature of former Dynamos captain Emmanuel Jalai.
Everything pointed to a Scottland move in the transfer market before the Betway Premiership side intensified their efforts.
Against the odds, Jalai moved to South Africa soon after his return from AFCON, completing what has been described as one of the most lucrative deals by a Zimbabwean joining a club outside Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates.
Yesterday Durban City chief executive Younus Kadodia opened up exclusively to Zimpapers Sports Hub about the saga on the sidelines of a landmark partnership agreement between the club and Scottland in Harare.
“Our technical team had him on our list of players that we were scouting . . . We had a few players from Zimbabwe, and I think performances at the AFCON was a contributing factor. When we inquired, we jumped on the opportunity,” said Kadodia.
Jalai, who seems to have settled well in the Betway Premiership, had also attracted interests from clubs from North Africa as well.
The Durban City CEO said he only found out later that Scottland were among the clubs chasing the same player.
“Yeah, we discussed that episode today, and we were actually laughing about it,” Kadodia added.
That cold war of some sort will be a small chapter of the relationship between the Zimbabwe champions and the South African side.
A delegation from the SA club led by the CEO is in the country and has since concluded part of a US$1.5 million partnership agreement between the two clubs.
Indications are the two clubs will primarily partner on junior development of players and facilitation of players to move down to South Africa, with the eventual objective to export players to Europe.
The agreement, as explained by the two parties will also include capacitation of coaches and development of the clubs.
“The investment covers youth development, technical support, exchanges, tournaments and commercial growth,” said club governor Tonderai Sakupwanya, summing it up.
The bigger part of the partnership agreement could be the setting up of an academy that could see young players move to South Africa for exposure before they even turn 18. “Promotion into the Premier Soccer League and winning the title is a remarkable achievement,” said the Duban City boss.
“For us we are looking at partnering with clubs in Southern Africa who share the same vision with us. We have had a number of Zimbabwean players that have played for Durban City and have gone on to excel internationally.
“We are looking at setting up a talent hub here in Zimbabwe. We want to identify youngsters from 13 to 17 years and give them much exposure earlier in their career.”
This comes at a time when the PSL champions remain one of the most ambitious clubs in Zimbabwe and they have since caused waves in the country.
Governor Sakupwanya said: “We share the same vision . . . If you look at them, they have three players that have left their club and gone to play elsewhere. Scottland is emulating that . . . We are going to develop talent and export.”
The developments come at a time when Scottland have some of the best players in the country.
These include promising players like Mafios Chihweta and Tadiwa Chakuchichi, and the veterans like Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat. They create balance in a team that also have players at their prime.
“This is a shared bridge between Zimbabwe and South Africa . . . building a pipeline from local talent to global opportunity,” Sakupwanya concluded.
