Zimbabwe international and Striver.Football Macauley Bonne spoke to Will Phillips at Striver about what it is like to play in AFCON and what it means for the Striker personally.
Macauley Bonne, 30, will play for Zimbabwe in the upcoming AFCON. The Warriors have never been able to make it past the group stage of the tournament. They will be hopeful with this strong squad that they can make history for the competition. More importantly the nation.
Zimbabwe's first game is against Mohamed Salah's Egypt on Monday, they share the group with South Africa and Angola.
"He (Mo Salah) is an unbelievable footballer. He is one of the best in the world" talking about last season's Premier League top goal scorer Mo Salah.
The Zimbabwe forward went onto say however "On the day he’s just another man, out of the 22 on the pitch. I've played against big names my whole career. I won't be starstruck".
When asked what he expects from the Egyptian captain, Macauley Bonne said "Nothing different to what Mo Salah has been doing for years at Liverpool. Playing exciting football". It is sure to be a tough match for both sides on Monday.
Ex Charlton, QPR, Ipswich & Southend United player Bonne commented on AFCON saying "I feel it’s been very underestimated throughout world football, some of the best players in Africa all play in the world's top leagues so the quality is high".
Marvelous Nakamba, A former premier League player, is also going to AFCON with Zimbabwe. There is many top players participating at this year's AFCON such as Victor Oshimen and Bryan Mbuemo.
We asked Bonne who he thought was the favourite for the tournament other than Zimbabwe. "I’m gonna go with Morocco. The home crowd could be the Morocco 12th man".
Morocco are the hosts of the tournament and he said this may help give them an "extra push".
"It’s been a dream to represent my home country at a major tournament for years so now I’m here I couldn’t be any happier".
"My family everyone at home they are all right behind me I know I have there support and can’t wait to see them all out in Morocco when they come". It has been a tough year personally for the forward. He nearly turned his back on football to go on the building sites before joining Maldon & Tiptree in Step 4 of the English pyramid. Next thing he is at AFCON. What a dream.
