Macauley Bonne targets big AFCON impact after long Warriors absence

The England-based forward has not featured for the Warriors in a year but has earned a surprise call-up in new head coach Mario Marinica’s squad for the continental showpiece. 

Zimbabwe have been drawn in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola and Bafana Bafana and Bonne says he is determined to seize the opportunity on international duty. 

"Yeah, it's good to be back, it's been a long time coming. It's been a year now, over a year since the last time with the boys but now to be part of this squad now, it feels like the right time for me to be back. I wanna score goals but for me what's important is getting through games, fitting well and seeing how far we can go in the tournament," Bonne said.

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Bonne admits there was some adjusting in the first few days of being with the rest of the team in camp. 

"To be honest the first week or so was tough, coming into the fold here, training especially in the warm weather, training twice a day, a couple of hours a day, it's been tough like the manager had us work through our paces but I feel like a longer time has gone by now,” he added.

“I've finally adapted to the weather, the fitness and how he wants me to work. So, my work rate, now it has been just running, I'm using it now more smarter rather than running around like a headless chicken, I'm now doing my strike well. 

“A little bit of sharp runs, so, I'm putting my fitness into practice now, I feel like I'm in a good position right now.

Bonne pleaded with the fans to back The Warriors over the next few weeks.

"Stick with us, it's been a long road, I wasn't obviously part of it to get to AFCON but I'm here now. Stick with us, it's been a long, long journey and we are gonna surprise you during AFCON and I'm really looking forward to it, thank you for the support."