A YEAR that began with the bitter loss of his father, just two months after the birth of his son Keith, is slowly turning sweet once more for Tino Kadewere.

The exciting Young Warriors forward last week became the latest Zimbabwean to secure a move to Europe after penning a six-month loan deal with Swedish topflight side Djurgardens IF.

Kadewere’s move to Sweden follows the move by peers Walter Musona, Wisdom Mutasa, Liberty Chakoroma, Evans Rusike and Thomas Chideu beyond the borders.

For the Harare City starlet, a lot of work still needs to be done to earn a long-term contract at a club where countryman Nyasha Mushekwi is enjoying his game.

“I am ready to prove Djurgardens did not make a mistake,” says the forward.

Kadewere’s father, Onias, was the brains behind Highfield Football Academy – home to some of the most exciting prospects from the historical suburb of Harare.

“I am doing this for my late father. He told me I would make it big in football. I have to also make sure football takes care of my wife Sharon Tumba, my son Keith and of course my widowed mother Mavis,” adds Kadewere.

He moved into his new apartment in the Swedish capital Stockholm last Thursday, and is ready to wear the number 24 shirt for Djurgardens.

Djurgardens IF sit fourth in the 16-team league after 20 rounds of action and their new man cannot wait to get into the mix of things.

“I am excited, everything a footballer wants is provided for. I am staying in a nice apartment, very close to the training ground. The training methods and equipment are just superb.

“I cannot wait for my debut, I want to prove Djurgardens were not wrong to take me on board. I am confident they will renew my contract,” enthuses Kadewere.

The presence of Mushekwi, on loan from South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, and the club’s top goal scorer with 11 goals, has given the teenage sensation a smooth landing in Sweden.

“At first I felt a bit nervous but Mushekwi has always been there for me. I owe him a lot,” says Kadewere.

Mushekwi, a major talking point in the Allsvenskan, thanks to his goal-scoring instincts, speaks highly of Kadewere.

“Tino is doing very well, everyone here likes him. He is a good boy and I pray that he excels. He looks happy, eager to play and ready prove his mettle but I have told him to be patient. He is still young and with the right attitude I tell you he will go far. I wish more of our Zimbabwean talent could be exposed to this side of the world,” he tells us.

Djurgardens director of sports Bosse “Bo” Anderssson, a former international who played for AIK and Djurgardens in Sweden before crossing over to Portugal where he featured for Sporting Braga, thinks Kadewere is a future superstar.

“I see Tino as a long-term option. He made a good impression when he was initially here for trials, he has many fine features and he made it clear he enjoyed life at Djurgardens.

“It helps of course that he comes from Zimbabwe where we have Mush (Mushekwi), he has put Djurgarden on the map there.

“Tino is a skilful player, fast and creative and has shown in training he can score goals. He can play both as a forward or as a winger.

“Now we get a chance to know him in the fall and we want to go ahead and sign the contract after we already know that the conditions are clear and manageable,” Andersson was quoted as saying by the club’s website.

The Swedish topflight concludes early November and Kadewere is confident the time left is enough for him to light up the 33 000-seater Tele2 Arena Stadium and convince Djurgarden to hand him a longer contract.

Harare City coach Taurai Mangwiro, who gave Kadewere his big break at the start of the season, reckons the boy is heading for the stars.

At a time when the striker was getting frustrated with life at City after making a couple of substitute appearances in 2014, Mangwiro made Kadewere his first choice gunman at the start of this season.

It was a shock call.

“I get a lot of inspiration from Bambo (coach Moses Chunga) who has not only shown us the courage to field youngsters but also helped me make a break at Dynamos.

“It was him who recommended me, Alois Godzi, Simon Chuma and Vitalis Takawira to then coach Peter Nyama.

“And now I am proud to have my own products going places. I always use Tino (Kadewere) as an example, he is still learning and he is a very humble learner. He will torment defenders in Sweden I tell you,” says Mangwiro.

. . .Fulfilling daddy’s dream

Sports Reporter

“TINO my son, please take care of your mother.”

These were the last words Onias Kadewere said to his son, Tino.

As the forward begins life in Sweden, his mother – Mavis – says although she misses her son, she is charmed by the fact that her boy is doing exactly what his father asked him to do.

“His father had a lot of faith in Tino, he somehow believed that of all the boys, he would make a living out of soccer.

“So, when he was dying he made it clear to the young boy he expected him to look after his mother. Now that daddy is gone, it is a blessing that Tino has gone to Europe. . .he is the family’s hope,” says the 58-year old.

“Sometimes I cry, it is hard to believe that my boy is that far away. He is my last born and I had grown used to (being) by his side. However, I draw comfort from the fact that now he can raise more money to take of me and his wife Sharon,” she adds.

Kadewere was born into a football family.

His brother Prince played for the national U17 squad and former topflight side Monomotapa before injury cut short an otherwise promising career.

Sharon also misses her man.

“It pains me a lot. Just having your husband staying far away from you but it is the nature of his job. At the end of the day, he has to look after the family,” she says.