Jalai says Dynamos will always have a special place in his heart

At 27, Emmanuel Jalai is preparing to face Dynamos for the first time since leaving the club, but he says the three-time Chibuku Super Cup winners will always remain important to him. The Scottland defender returns to Rufaro for a rearranged 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture with his former side.

Jalai spent more than five years drawing inspiration from Rufaro’s Vietnam Stand and believes Dynamos played a major role in his development. The club gave him his opportunity, support and platform, helping him progress from an unheralded player into a recognised defender and Warriors international.

His departure from Dynamos came earlier this year before he moved to South African Premiership club Durban City. He returned to Zimbabwe in July on a six-month loan agreement with Scottland, who are now competing against Dynamos at the top end of the league.

Scottland lead the table by two points over Hardrock with eight rounds remaining. The defending champions are seeking a victory to protect that advantage, while Jalai is aiming to win his first league championship medal after failing to claim the title during his time with Dynamos.

The match could also put Jalai up against Leeroy Mavhunga, the Dynamos winger who was part of the Scottland side that secured promotion to the Premiership. Mavhunga has continued to impress under new Dynamos coach Aristica Cioaba.

Jalai’s place in the Scottland starting XI is not guaranteed. Competition for positions has intensified since the mid-season arrivals, with coach Norman Mapeza insisting that every player must earn selection. Ghanaian Issaka Mohammed has recently been used at right-back and centre-back, partnering Kelvin Moyo in Scottland’s 3-1 Chibuku Super Cup win over FC Platinum in the round of 16 at Rufaro last Friday.

Despite the selection battle, Jalai has settled well at Scottland and has been impressed by the squad’s ambition. He now faces the difficult task of helping his current employers beat the club that gave him his route to national prominence and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.