dyton mupawaenda
Blessing Malinganiza
ENGLAND-BASED striker, Macauley Bonne, has not been included in the Warriors squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers because he wants to sort out his club future.
The 26-year-old’s absence in the squad announced yesterday raised some dust, especially after the striker appeared to have finally shown his allegiance to Zimbabwe.
He turned up for a Four-Nation friendly tournament held in Malawi in March and was the best of the British Brigade.
However, it has emerged that Bonne asked to be excused from national duty this time around as he is still fixing his future with English League Two side Gillingham.
Bonne is going back to his parents club, Gillingham, following the expiry of his six-month loan deal with League One side Cambridge.
Zimbabwe will play Lesotho in a Group C CAF World Cup qualifier at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on June 7, before facing South Africa at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 11.
And Bonne will be missing in action much to the disappointment of fans who have waited for a long time to watch the bustling striker in competitive action for the Warriors.
The former Charlton Athletic gunman ignored various calls for national duty until March when he flew to Malawi for the Four-Nation tournament. A source within Bonne’s camp has revealed that an arrangement was made between ZIFA and the player’s handlers.
“Remember Bonne’s loan deal with Cambridge has expired and the player has to return to Gillingham.
“So, there will be some talks there whose dates are coinciding with the Warriors matches in South Africa.
“There are issues to do with Bonne’s future that need to be ironed, so he can’t miss the opportunity.”
Bonne made 16 appearances and scored one goal for Cambridge in the just-ended season.
The nomadic striker has also featured for a number of English lower league clubs, including Queens Park Rangers, Layton Orient, Lincoln City and Colchester United.
In his absence, the Warriors will have to rely on the experience of Nantes striker, Tino Kadewere, who has been called up.
Wolverhampton wonderboy Tawanda Chirewa is also in the squad and is likely to make his national team debut against Lesotho on June 7.
Online Reporter