Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
JUST four weeks ago, Zimbabwe football internationals Emmanuel Jalai and Junior Zindoga combined to great effect, as they played a big part in helping the Warriors to cruise to the Mukuru 4 Nations Cup title in Francistown, Botswana.
Wing back Jalai was involved in the build-up, while forward Zindoga secured the goal that sunk rivals Zambia in a pulsating final at the Obedi Itani Chilume stadium.
It was the Warriors first piece of silverware since 2018 when the legendary Sunday Chidzambwa guided them to the COSAFA Cup title, his tournament record fourth and Zimbabwe’s sixth.
When the Warriors featuring Jalai and Zindoga won the Mukuru 4 Nations Cup last month, they were still under the guidance of Marian “Mario’’ Marinica.
The two Warriors stars have since gone back to their clubs and will today cross swords in the South African Premiership’s biggest knockout tournament – the Nedbank Cup final at the New Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.
Former Dynamos captain Jalai will be lining up for Durban City while ex-Yadah Stars striker Zindoga is at TS Galaxy.
Kick off is 6PM.
Jalai will be hoping to win his first trophy with Durban City, a club he joined in January, a few months after lifting the Chibuku Super Cup with Dynamos in Chiredzi.
Durban City are also aiming to lift their first ever Nedbank Cup.
For Zindoga’s TS Galaxy, they are looking for their second Nedbank Cup title, having stunned giants Kaizer Chiefs in the 2019 final.
In fact TS Galaxy made history back then when they became the first second-tier (National First Division) club to win the competition with a late penalty scored by Zakhele Lepasa giving them a 1-0 win.
Success in the Nedbank Cup guarantees the winners a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.
A product of Legends Academy, Zindoga is a flying winger who is also establishing himself as a key player for Zimbabwe.
At TS Galaxy Zindoga is under the tutelage of former Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker, who was still a player when Amakhosi lost in the 2019 final.
Although the final is in Polokwane, Jalai and Zindoga’s presence has given it a Zimbabwean touch.
“Set for the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Saturday’s decider brings together two sides struggling for rhythm yet capable of producing moments of quality when it matters most.
“Neither team arrives in dominant form, and that unpredictability only heightens the stakes. With confidence fragile and margins likely to be fine, this final could evolve into a cautious, tactical battle.
“Extra time, or even penalties, cannot be ruled out in what is shaping up to be a compelling showdown,” wrote African Soccer ahead of the big clash.
