TINO’S NIGHTMARE

Blessing Malinganiza

TINO Kadewere says he is disappointed to sustain the injury which bowled him out of a dream debut at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He is expected to be out for the rest of the year.

Kadewere suffered a rupture in the quadriceps of his right leg, a day before he was set to make his La Liga debut for Real Mallorca against Real Madrid.

The Spanish-based forward says the injury was a huge setback and it came at the wrong time.

“The injury came at the wrong time and it hurts a lot, but there is nothing I can do.

“It is part of football.

“The goal now is to work extra hard, during rehab, so that I come back strong and ready to play.”

He added:

“Everything had been going well and I was looking forward to returning to the field of play.

“I was happy that I would be in the squad for our game against Real Madrid.

“Maybe, the coach would have given me a run.

“But, now, all of that can’t happen because of the injury, but all hope is not lost.

“I’ve started the rehabilitation process and I will come back stronger.

“Being on the sidelines won’t be easy, but I will be working on my recovery and supporting the team.”

Real Mallorca coach, Javier Aguirre, revealed that Kadewere’s injury was more serious than expected and it’s not looking good for the Zimbabwean striker.

Aquirre said the injury was worse than initially thought and it’s hard to tell when exactly the lanky striker will be back.

“It’s a complete setback,” Aquirre told Madrid-based publication Marca.

“The training ended and he felt something strange.

“We did an MRI and it’s a bit more serious than expected.

“Now we have two options – a conservative recovery or a minimal intervention. I can’t talk about deadlines.

“We fought for him and it’s a shame,” he said.

The striker is on loan from French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon, who have been informed of the injury.