Long before he settled into the rhythm of midfield play, Emmanuel Ziocha was moving to a very different beat.
Before football took full control of his ambitions, Ziocha had already found a stage, just not a football pitch.
As a teenager, he immersed himself in Zimbabwe’s vibrant dance culture, performing in the Zimdancehall scene and eventually earning a role as a backup dancer for the late Soul Jah Love, one of the country’s most influential voices.
It was during that period that the late artist gave him the nickname “B Mola,” a reminder of a life that once seemed destined for entertainment rather than sport.
Those close to him from that era describe a performer comfortable in front of crowds, disciplined in rehearsals, and driven by the same hunger that would later define his football.
But behind the performances, another ambition persisted.
Ziocha frames football and faith as the twin pillars that redirected his life, providing structure and purpose in contrast to the uncertainty of his upbringing.
His shift from dance to football was not merely a career change but a decisive turning point that shaped his trajectory.
“If it wasn’t for God and football, I don’t know where I would be,” he says.
“Probably just another guy on the streets of Mbare trying to figure life out.”
Even as he danced behind one of Zimbabwe’s biggest stars, football remained a constant, played on uneven community grounds where structure was limited but intensity was not.
Reflecting on his time with Soul Jah Love, he pauses.
“I wish he was still alive to see where I am today,” Ziocha says.
“I give credit to him for believing in me. May his soul continue to rest in peace.”
That chapter, while closed, remains foundational, a reminder of the environments that shaped him and the people who saw potential before it was widely recognised.
Now a midfielder for Scottland, Ziocha’s story continues to evolve, but its roots remain firmly in Mbare, in the streets, the dance floors, and the improvised pitches where his journey began.
The Scottland star also outlined his ambitions, with his sights firmly set on a move abroad and a call-up to represent Zimbabwe at senior level.
“My dream is to play outside the country and also represent the Warriors,” he added.
Ziocha capped last season with a second runner-up finish in the Soccer Stars of the Year awards, a nod to his growing influence as one of the standout midfielders in the domestic game.
