BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
WHEN he played for Yadah FC, Warriors and Zambia’s Power Dynamos, defender Jimmy Dzingai would sometimes lead praise and worship sessions at Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries before dashing out to lead his team in the local premiership.
In the Warriors set-up, Dzingai has become vital for his role in lifting the national football team’s morale and spirit in camp with his musical gift ahead of crucial ties.
Growing up at his rural home in Masvingo at the turn of the century, it was apparent that the boy had two gifts — one as a musician and another as a footballer.
As a footballer, Dzingai previously played for Aces Youth Academy, DC Academy, Black Mambas, Gunners, Chiredzi, Triangle and Yadah FC before joining six-time Zambian champions Power Dynamos last year.
Currently, the 28-year-old defender is enjoying the form of his life as Power Dynamos top scorer with four goals in the Zambian league.
Yet in all this, he has remained loyal to his musical gift.
Dzingai is a member of the PHD Ministries’ praise and worship team where he plays drums and is also a lead vocalist.
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The former Yadah FC captain was once part of Jah Prayzah’s band back in 2009 before he left to concentrate on his football career.
He has recorded his own album, which he has kept for later release.
In music, Dzingai aspires to reach the heights scaled by the late music icon Oliver Mtukudzi in gospel music circles and is targeting gold at the Egypt Africa Cup of Nations finals as well as a career in Europe.
“God has favoured me and given me two gifts. I love them both and I could never choose one over the other. But it’s only that music is a long-term career compared to football, so it might seem that I have chosen football,” Dzingai said in an exclusive interview with The Sports Hub.
“I am still very much a musician. I play drums at PHD Ministries and I am also a lead singer for a popular song called 0% Demon Tolerance. I have also recorded an album, but I am waiting for the best time to release it.
“I once played for Jay Prayzah’s band in 2009, but there was always a conflict of interest because we would have a show in Mvurwi and at the same time I would have a match in Gweru. He understood that and we parted ways amicably.
“Music runs in my family. My father teaches music and my older brother is a guitarist for gospel artiste Carol Mujokoro. And when I was young used to make makeshift drums and play all day long. I want to be one of the best gospel artistes in the world,” he added.
As a pupil at Chizvinire Primary School and Mukati High School, Dzingai made a name for himself as a striker before he was scouted by Dynamos assistant coach Expense Chitukutuku, who transformed him into a defender at Aces Youth Soccer Academy.
Dzingai will always remember 2014 as the year he won his first piece of silverware on the local scene scooping the NetOne One Wallet Cup with Triangle after beating Dynamos in the final.
He earned his first national team cap against Namibia late 2017 in a African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier and has been in and out of the team since.
The Aces Youth Soccer Academy product is aware of his extra role in the Warriors apart from playing.
“I love to have fun a lot. It’s just in me, so I took it upon myself to make sure morale is high in the national team camp through my musical gift. But it’s just humbling for me to be part of the national team.
“My dream is to be able to play and help the team win the Africa Cup of Nations. It’s also everyone’s dream to play in Europe,” Dzingai said.
Meeting PHD founder Walter Magaya back in 2013 was the turning of his life and football career, Dzingai reckons.
“It’s a privilege to have a man of God mentoring you in your career. The first day I had an encounter with him and he told me that talent alone is not good enough, you need God for you to explore your talent.
“At first I could not believe him, but when I started seeing some changes in my life, I understood what he meant. I had a knee injury for a long time and he prayed for me and I was healed,” revealed Dzingai.
Dzingai is currently enjoying life in the Zambia Super League, where his team sits fourth on the log table while he has been scoring for fun.
“I am happy with my performance in Zambia, it’s really a tough league. I am currently the top scorer for my team with four goals and I want to do more, he said.
