Tino wary of second season syndrome

Harare Bureau
WARRIORS forward Tino Kadewere is aware of the weighty expectations on his shoulders ahead of his second season at French Ligue 1 football giants Olympique Lyon.

Kadewere (25) joined Lyon from French second tier side Le Havre last season and proved his mettle in his first term, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists to help the team secure UEFA Europa League qualification.

But, he knows the second season brings with it a new set of challenges.

“It’s natural. If one has had a good debut season, he is naturally expected to do even better in the next season,” said Kadewere, who was part of a squad of 27 Lyon players who, on Monday, travelled to a week-long pre-season training camp in Murcia, Spain.

The Lyon pre-season training camp will run until July 26 and they will be under the guidance of their new Dutch coach Peter Bosz.

Bosz replaced Rudi Garcia following the expiry of the Frenchman’s contract at the end of the French Ligue 1 2020/21 season in May.

“One ought to be mature and work extra hard,” Kadewere said. “It is always difficult to replicate form but one can do better with extra effort.

“I am happy with the way things unfolded in my first season.

“I even doubted myself and l know a lot of people even doubted me.

“But then with hard work and God, things worked out well for me.

“I am one person who always believes in working hard. I put that extra effort into my work and I am glad it is always rewarding me. I am happy, very happy with how everything panned out.

“Lyon is one of the biggest clubs not only in France but in Europe as well so to be retained by such a magnificent club means one would have done something good.”

The former Harare City striker said he will continue doing what he has always done to fend off the second-season syndrome.

“Like I have said, it is always difficult to replicate what one did in their debut season, especially if it was a decent showing. I am aware of that and I know it’s mental. One needs a good mentality to fight that off. I have had a very good rest in the off-season at home”.