The Sunday News
Innocent kurira
FOR sometime, Dynamos defender Emmanuel Jalai has been sidelined from senior national team duty.
Finally, his opportunity has come as he was called up to the national team by interim coach Norman Mapeza for the four-nation tournament in Malawi.
Jalai is one of the few local players selected in the squad for the tournament.
He is over the moon with his first Warriors call-up.
“I’m happy to receive my first call-up to the senior national team. Getting recognition from the national association is a big motivation as a player and I’m happy to receive my first call-up.
“The demand is always the same. If you see the way I have been playing at Dynamos, the demand is similar to the national team. So for me, I have to remain humble and concentrate on the task at hand,” he said.
The player said he was welcomed well into the Warriors team.
“Honestly, the big guys that have been here before, have welcomed us warmly and that is an inspiration,” said Jalai.
The defender is enjoying linking up with foreign-based players.
“We are playing locally and they are playing in Europe, so to mix with them is a great motivation,” said Jalai.
Next up for the Warriors will be the World Cup Qualifiers.
According to Fifa, the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will only be played in June, while the 2025 AfcoN Qualifiers will be played during the other windows. The Afcon qualifiers will begin in March in the preliminary rounds but Zimbabwe will not be taking part.
This will allow the national team to arrange at least one friendly match during that window.
The final Afcon qualifying campaign will take place during the September, October and November international matches’ windows. — @innocentskizoe
