MACAULEY Bonne will not be part of the Warriors squad that will face Botswana this week in the Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] qualifiers as he has been excused due to an “urgent appointment with the doctor”.
He is undergoing a cardiac investigation, Zim Morning Post has learnt.
The Charlton Athletic forward got his Zimbabwean passport last week and was expected to feature for the Warriors for his debut against Botswana.
Bonne failed to travel with the warriors to Egypt for the Afcon finals after he struggled to acquire the Zimbabwean passport which he later got following intervention by Sports minister, Kirsty Coventry.
In a statement released Monday morning, Bonnie said he was humbled that he now had a Zimbabwean passport, adding it was unfortunate he had failed to travel for his debut.
“I am both delighted and privileged to be selected to join the Zimbabwe national team and I appreciate all those who were involved in securing my passport,” Bonne said.
He said that it was unfortunate that he would miss the game on medical grounds.
“Unfortunately and reluctantly, I am unable to travel due to unforeseen medical grounds, which is a huge frustration to me as it will be to the people of Zimbabwe,” Bonne added.
Bonne has so far only played once for Zimbabwe in a friendly fixture, and there were fears that he could consider to play for England, his country of birth, after facing challenges in obtaining a Zimbabwean passport ahead of this year’s Afcon finals.
He is one of four players born in Europe, together with Jordan Zemura, Adam Chicken and Cliff Moyo, who applied for Zimbabwean passports last week ahead of the two Afcon fixtures.
Bonne has been in impressive form in front of goal since breaking into the Charlton Athletic team, scoring five goals in seven games.
Zimbabwe host Botswana at the National Sports Stadium on Friday.
The match, initially scheduled for Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo before being moved to the capital due to floodlight concerns, will kick-off at 6pm.
