Macauley Bonn: The Maldon striker is set to face Salah in the Africa Cup of Nations

Zimbabwe has a new coach, with Romanian Mario Marencia appointed last November to replace Michael Ness, after previously coaching Malawi and Liberia.

His squad includes a number of England-based players, including Wolves midfielder Tawanda Chiriwa, Sheffield Wednesday’s Shaun Fuzier, Reading’s Andy Rinomhota and Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway.

For Bonn, though, it is a big step forward from his last domestic appearance as a substitute in Maldon & Tiptree’s 1-0 Isthmian League North win at Redbridge on November 29 in front of a crowd of 152.

“Someone needs to get the rights to the movie because it’s going to sell millions at the box office, I’m telling you,” he said.

“It’s the story of my whole career, really, I had setbacks to overcome. Now I’m playing step four (non-league), I’m enjoying it, the club, the owners, the players, everyone is absolutely at the highest level.”

“They’re all really happy for me. Playing fourth step and going to an international tournament, I don’t think that’s ever been done, right?”

He has experience at much higher levels to draw on, having played for both Charlton and QPR in the Championship during his career.

Bonn does not expect to be in the starting line-up straight away, but hopes he can give Marincia some food for thought when it comes to selecting the team.

He added: “Every striker wants to score goals, but my goal is to play, just get some minutes, and anything above that is a bonus. If I do that, the next goal will be ‘trying to put the ball in the back of the net’.”