Clive Thabo Dube
Tino Kadewere made history last week Friday as he became the first Zimbabwean to play in the Spanish topflight league LaLiga.
The Zimbabwean international forward took part in his side’s 2-0 loss to Getafe on Friday but only played for five minutes in stoppage time.
Kadewere who is on loan from French Ligue 1 side Lyon seems to have captured the hearts of some of the fans of his new team. To make things interesting, a young Spanish fan had to turn to the Shona language in order to convince Kadewere to give him an autographed number 17 shirt.
Ndapota, Munundipa yako shirt, ndatenda zvikura waita hako(sic)
(Please I beg for you to hand me your T- Shirt.Thank you very much.)
The 26- year old striker made his Spanish debut last year November during a Copa del rey encounter against CD Autol, in which he scored a goal for the Palma based side in their 6-0 win.
Speaking to Zim GBC News sports, sportscaster Spencer Banda said the 26 year old player has what it takes and is one of the best players to represent Zimbabwe abroad.
“Tino has been one of the best products we have produced over the last two (2) decades. Depicting a player as complete does not hinge on talent or skill alone but a potpourri of compositions encompassing academic education, physical conditioning, mental training , as well as exposure to various tactical forms,” said the footballer turned journalist.
Born Philana Tinotenda Kadewere and a product of Prince Edward School, and Harare City he is at Real Mallorca in Spain on loan with an option to buy deal.
“Tino is also amongst the few who managed to represent the country from U14 & 16 Cossasa Games to Zifa U17, 20, 23 and Seniors.
“Joining a local Premiership club and subsequently going to Europe is a pathway many budding players dream of and Tino was lucky to go through this mill.”
“It is against this background that I feel Tino has the mental strength, physical capabilities, tactical prowess and astute comprehension of tactical demands that can make him succeed.”
That is what Banda , a former Zimbabwe U-17 and Caps United player summed up one of the footballers (Tino) fying high our flag in Europe.