Impressive COSAFA Cup outing earns Zim defender PSL interest
Three PSL clubs are angling for the services of defender Emmanuel Jalai, who played a blinder in Zimbabwe’s botched 2024 COSAFA Cup campaign.
Emmanuel Jalai has attracted interest from at least three PSL clubs, who have so far made inquiries.
This comes after the Warriors of Zimbabwe were bundled out of the 2024 COSAFA Cup tournament after falling from the top of Group B standings to third and out of the competition.
They won their first two matches against Comoros and Zambia, but a 2-0 loss to Kenya in the final group match condemned them to third position. At the end of business, Comoros finished on top of the group following their 1-0 win over Zambia.
Despite the Warriors’ botched 2024 COSAFA campaign, several players gave a good account of themselves. Striker Micheal Tapera was impressive after scoring two goals, while Tinotenda Meke also dazzled on the wings.
Emmanuel Jalai TARGETED BY THE PSL CLUBS
FARPost sources have revealed that newly-promoted DStv Premiership side Magesi and JDR Stars are among the interested clubs in Jalai’s services.
Jalai has been one of the consistent defenders in Zimbabwe’s PSL. The 25-year-old right-back is also Dynamos’ vice-captain. His contract with Dynamos ends in December.
Jalai’s handler, Michael Ngobeni of M-Sport Management, confirmed the interest from PSL clubs.
“I’ll tell you that Jalai was one of the best performers at COSAFA for Zimbabwe. He gave his all and utilised every minute he got.
“At a tournament like that, if a player does well, he will attract some interest. For now, I have to protect the clubs, but inquiries are coming.
“From yesterday, we had three clubs inquiring about him. COSAFA is a big tournament. It’s where we got opportunities for Ronald Pfumbidzai to Bloemfontein Celtic.
“We also did the same for Talent Chawapihwa and the late Justin Shonga. With Jalai, we are not rushing. He has got CAF Confederation Cup in August. The move will happen, but for now, I can’t say which club it is. I can promise that I had three talks from very stable clubs. We are not rushing anything.
“We want to see him do his thing in the CAF competitions and the [2026 FIFA] World Cup qualifiers. But we can wait and see, anything suprising can happen,” Ngobeni told FARPost.
RELATED STORY: Kaizer Chiefs withdraw Edmilson Dove from COSAFA Cup