BONNE JOINS CENTURION CLUB

MACAULEY Bonne celebrated his 100th career goal with a strike for his country on his return to national duty in Malawi on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Cambridge United forward is back in favour after what has been a complicated relationship with the senior national football team.

He exploded on his return as his goal helped the Warriors fight back from two goals down to force a draw and penalties in this Four Nations semi-final at the Bingu Stadium.

Zimbabwe eventually ended a Zambian side, which had stars like Patson Daka, 6-5 on penalties,

The Warriors now take on Kenya in the final.

Ahead of the game, Cambridge United had sent a message to Bonne and his Malawian teammate Jubril Okedina.

“Best of luck to Jubril Okedina (Malawi), Macauley Bonne (Zimbabwe) who are both in international action today,” read the club’s post on X, formerly Twitter.

In the end, it was Bonne who was celebrating.

Bonne has played and scored for the Warriors but he never managed to have a permanent relationship with the team.

Now, and again, something would always happen which would complicate things but the striker, and the fans, will be hoping this relationship will be a long and fruitful one.

The Warriors have been looking for an out-and-out gunman for some time now and Bonne is exactly that type of player.

Interim coach, Norman Mapeza, said:

“We had a good game in the second half against Zambia and we are hoping to see the boys combine well in our final match against Kenya.

“Everyone is fighting for his place, and I’m impressed with that.

“We played well (against Zambia) despite conceding two early goals. We took the game to Zambia, and we should have won it in regulation time.”*