WILL JALAI PLAY IN KDB LANE?

Bruce Chikuni

Sports Reporter

DYNAMOS captain Emmanuel Jalai’s name has been thrust into the spotlight amid a national debate, sparked by H-Metro, about whether he is the favourite for the Soccer Star of the Year.

If he wins the award, he is likely to do so without winning the Player of the Month award this year.

But, he won’t be the only one.

Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne won two EPL Player of the Season awards without winning the Player of the Month award.

There is a constituency which is questioning how Jalai can feature prominently in the debate for the Soccer Star of the Year award when Dynamos are facing the threat of relegation.

DeMbare are on 34 points, sitting third from the basement, with three games to go.

De Bruyne spent 10 seasons at Manchester City but never won the EPL Player of the Month, despite winning the league’s Player of the Season award twice.

Jalai has recorded two goals and provided an assist in 31 games, something which has seen him being ignored for the Player of the Month gong.

But, there is no denying that Jalai will look back and remember this campaign as his best.

He joined Dynamos during the 2019 campaign and he had only one goal to show before this season.

Dynamos fans will also argue that Jalai led like a real Warrior playing for a struggling team which registered one win in the first half of the season.

Jalai also has a chance to win the league’s Player of the Month of October.

Dynamos have booked their slot in the final of the Chibuku Super Cup after they edged Highlanders at Rufaro on Sunday. They are hosting Bikita Minerals in a league match on Sunday in what will be a must-win match. Anything short of victory could be disastrous for the Glamour Boys.

DeMbare are scheduled to meet Bikita Minerals, Yadah, and FC Platinum in their final three games.

Bikita Minerals and Yadah’s survival also depend on their results against Dynamos.

The Glamour Boys’ last assignment will be more like a grudge match against Norman Mapeza’s men.

Dynamos walked off the pitch in protest of a penalty that was awarded to FC Platinum at Mandava.

The incident led to the abandonment of the match, which resulted in disciplinary proceedings that also saw FC Platinum being awarded three points.