Sports Correspondent

18-year-old Zimbabwean footballer Prosper Padera has made history by securing a four-year contract with Finnish top-tier club, SKJ FC. The talented player, hailing from Mutare, will now showcase his abilities in Finland’s Veikkausliiga.

Padera developed his football skills at Majesa Academy in Mutare and gained recognition as the best player at the Nakamba Foundation Junior Tournament two years ago. His standout performance attracted the attention of Prime-Time Academy, which helped prepare him for international football, ultimately leading to his breakthrough in Finland.

“I’m excited to be here. I’ve worked hard, but I believe this is just the beginning of my journey. I want to excel here and eventually move to one of the top five footballing nations in Europe. I’m confident that the environment here will help me grow,” said Padera.

Prime-Time Academy, which has played a significant role in Padera’s development, is headed by former professional footballer Dexter Blackstock, who played for Queens Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest in England.

Blackstock expressed his pride, saying, “We’re thrilled to have been part of Prosper’s development. There are some great academies in Zimbabwe, like Majesa, and our role was to prepare him for European football by training him in the methods used there. This is an area where Zimbabwean football can improve.”