Tino Kadewere Faces Tough Times on His Journey to Comeback

Tino Kadewere spent a season and a half at FC Nantes, where he had limited playing time, scoring 4 goals and providing 2 assists in just 28 matches. His struggles were largely due to various injuries, particularly a serious thigh injury that kept him off the pitch for nearly five months. Despite his challenges, the 29-year-old former Olympique Lyonnais player enjoyed his time by the Erdre River.

In a recent interview with Ouest-France, the Zimbabwean revealed that he and his family appreciated the city greatly. He stated that Luis Castro had assured him he would be valued when he took charge of the Canaries. However, things took a different turn when the club’s management had other plans. “He (Luis Castro) told me that he liked me as a player, knowing me for a long time and counting on me. No one told me they didn’t want me anymore. I saw my name on the undesirable list in the media, and I felt I had to leave.”

A Disruptive Injury

Coming to terms with the idea of leaving, Kadewere has made a move to Greece, joining Aris Thessaloniki. There, he has found a new environment that he enjoys. Fascinated by the city, he has also experienced the Greeks’ passionate love for football. “In terms of fervor and pressure, it’s more than anything he’s experienced before,” his agent mentioned. Unfortunately for him, Kadewere hasn’t yet found the same joy on the field as he has in the city, participating in only six matches with just 127 minutes of playtime, about 21 minutes per game, again due to injuries.

Kadewere has been sidelined since October 22 due to a meniscus tear, stemming from a knee injury he sustained last September. This latest setback means he will have to wait for about a month before returning to action. Meanwhile, the Harare native has opened up about his physical state, sharing his struggles. He expressed that his ordeal isn’t over yet. “It’s really complicated. I’ve never fully recovered from the quadriceps injury I had at Nantes, as it’s the same leg where I had my serious knee injury in 2018. Many thoughts race through your mind. There are moments when you wonder if you can still play football, if you should stop. Then your friends and fellow players encourage you to keep going. I believe in God, and He will save me.” We wish him all the best.