Sports / Soccer
England's Colchester United gives Bonne nod to play for Zimbabwe
13 Mar 2016 at 07:35hrs | Views
COLCHESTER UNITED manager Kevin Keen has expressed delight that his striker Macauley Miles Bonne has been called up for the Zimbabwe senior national team's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) double header encounters with Swaziland. In a story published by the England Colchester Town's East Angilan Daily Times, Keen said hewon't stand in the way of Bonne, should the youngster decide to go on international duty with Zimbabwe again.
Bonne scored on his debut for Zimbabwe when the Under-23 squad was beaten by a full-strength Morocco in an international friendly in 2014. The 20-year-old striker has scored nine goals this season, albeit four of those came in the FA Cup win against non-league Wealdstone and two in the Football League Trophy against Northampton.
He also scored as Colchester United's Under-21s posted an impressive 2-1 victory against a Crystal Palace side featuring experienced first-teamers such as Marouane Chamakh, Martin Kelly and Julian Speroni.
This decent form which has made him one of Colchester United's key players will mean they will be disadvantaged when Bonne flies home, but Keen has no intention of standing in his man's way.
"Playing for the national team is a massive achievement and I never try and stop or influence anyone not to play for their national team. Nathan Oduwa has also been called up, for Nigeria's Under-23s and while both absences could affect the team for that week, I will never stop them. Home and away against Swaziland is a big experience for a young man to do and I am just happy he has been selected," said Keen.
Keen's endorsement of the call up means that chances of Bonne, who has been eager to play for the senior team, not coming are slim. In 2015, Bonne was called up for the Afcon clash against Guinea on 6 September, but he pulled out of the squad due to club commitments.
Bonne, a graduate of Colchester United's youth academy, is tipped for greatness by his club. He scored 46 goals in 54 appearances for the Under-18s. In the 2013–14season, he scored ten goals in just two FA Youth Cup fixtures.
He made his professional debut for Colchester United in 2013, and scored his first professional goal on his 18th birthday in a match against Peterborough United. Alongside featuring in the first-team, Bonne also helped the club's Under-18 side to a league title and cup winning double during the season.
He scored in the Youth Alliance Cup final on 29 April 2014, contributing towards Colchester United's 4-2 win against Bradford City.
Bonne scored on his debut for Zimbabwe when the Under-23 squad was beaten by a full-strength Morocco in an international friendly in 2014. The 20-year-old striker has scored nine goals this season, albeit four of those came in the FA Cup win against non-league Wealdstone and two in the Football League Trophy against Northampton.
He also scored as Colchester United's Under-21s posted an impressive 2-1 victory against a Crystal Palace side featuring experienced first-teamers such as Marouane Chamakh, Martin Kelly and Julian Speroni.
This decent form which has made him one of Colchester United's key players will mean they will be disadvantaged when Bonne flies home, but Keen has no intention of standing in his man's way.
"Playing for the national team is a massive achievement and I never try and stop or influence anyone not to play for their national team. Nathan Oduwa has also been called up, for Nigeria's Under-23s and while both absences could affect the team for that week, I will never stop them. Home and away against Swaziland is a big experience for a young man to do and I am just happy he has been selected," said Keen.
Bonne, a graduate of Colchester United's youth academy, is tipped for greatness by his club. He scored 46 goals in 54 appearances for the Under-18s. In the 2013–14season, he scored ten goals in just two FA Youth Cup fixtures.
He made his professional debut for Colchester United in 2013, and scored his first professional goal on his 18th birthday in a match against Peterborough United. Alongside featuring in the first-team, Bonne also helped the club's Under-18 side to a league title and cup winning double during the season.
He scored in the Youth Alliance Cup final on 29 April 2014, contributing towards Colchester United's 4-2 win against Bradford City.
Source - sundaynews
