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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City coach Taurai Mangwiro says Tino Kadewere’s rise should be an example to young players who aspire to make it at the highest level in their football careers. The 19-year-old Zimbabwe international striker proved that hard work pays after he landed a three-year deal with Swedish side Djurgaderns IF this week.

Kadewere’s success story is, however, a stark contrast to his Young Warriors teammates Wisdom Mutasa and Walter Musona, who chickened out after they were signed by Slovakian top-flight side SK Senec. The talented pair endured a difficult start to life at the European club and decided to return home last month in a move that left their careers hanging.

Kadewere, on the other hand, has been on loan at Djurgarderns IF since August this year and he gave enough performance to convince the European outfit to give him a longer contract. Mangwiro yesterday said he was not surprised by the teenager who had also given a good account of himself with the Sunshine Boys in his maiden Premiership season early this year.

The Swedish league may not be the best in the world, but Mangwiro wants the lanky forward to use it as a platform to break into the bigger European leagues in the future.

“I want to congratulate the young man. He is talented and has age on his side. I foresee him scaling even greater heights with sheer hard work and determination. He should aim to break into the more lucrative leagues in Europe using that experience.

“It can be done. It also gives encouragement to the other young players. It’s all about grabbing opportunities. Tino was presented with an opportunity and he grabbed it with both hands. When he got his chance to play at Djurgaderns he excelled.

“It’s amazing commitment on his part. He started right at the bottom and look where he is now. My advice to him is that he shouldn’t be content with what he has achieved so far. The sky is the limit.

“He should challenge himself to do even more. It’s a pity all this is happening in the year when he has just lost his father. As a footballer you need a great deal of discipline because we have seen players who have gone out to play in Europe and came back empty-handed,” said Mangwiro.