Zimpapers Logo

Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter

OLYMPIQUE Lyon coach, Peter Bosz, has revealed Tino Kadewere has been undergoing a tough time as he tries to deal with a number of personal challenges.

The Zimbabwe international forward made his return to the Lyon team last night when the French side visited Brondby IF for a Europa League clash in Denmark. 

The forward has been challenged by Bosz to rise from the disappointment he suffered in the team’s 2-3 defeat to Nice late last month.

Kadewere was blamed in many quarters for the defeat because of the costly red card he received in that match. 

It gave the opponents the muscle to overturn their deficit and claim a late comeback victory. But, his coach has been supportive of the Zimbabwean. 

“Tino Kadewere? He made a very bad mistake against Nice but he’s a good guy,’’ said Bosz. 

“I think he wanted to give his all for the team. He is not a mean-spirited player. 

“It has been a tough time for him, especially privately. 

“He had to show the squad he could play. He did as much and gave it his all in training. 

“He will start (against Brondby),” said Bosz, in a pre-match interview, on the eve of the trip to Denmark. 

Kadewere, who also missed the last part of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign for Zimbabwe, said he was excited to be back in the Lyon team. 

He said he had to deal with one of the most difficult periods in his career in the last four weeks,’’ said Kadewere. 

“I’m very happy to be here today. These have been difficult weeks for me. I’m with the squad, I’m very happy. 

“I’ve worked hard, and I need to help the team. 

“Physically, I feel very good. I’ve had a hard time. I needed to work with the team, I did not go on international duty; I feel very good. 

“It was a tough moment but this happens in football. I have good teammates. 

“The coach is always with me, he talks to me, he gives me confidence. He’s behind me. 

“The most important thing is the match ahead. Everyone at the club trusts me, I’m happy.” Ahead of last night’s match, the forward was banking on his experience in Sweden, where he made his European breakthrough, from Harare City, six years ago. 

“Every match is important,’’ he said. 

“I will give everything in this match because it can give me confidence. It’s a very important match for me. 

“I played Brondby in a friendly before when I was in the Swedish league. I know Nordic football. 

“I played three seasons in Sweden. I think it’s not much different. I had played 15 minutes in the reverse fixture and felt great.” 

Kadewere has been battling a series of injuries in the last few months. 

He had surgery on his thigh in May. 

The 25-year-old has featured four times for Lyon in 13 league games.