Donawa Looking To Make Impact On Return
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Justin Donawa is determined to make up for lost time after returning to the Bermuda football team after a two-and-a-half-year absence through injury and club commitments.
Donawa was among five changes to coach Michael Findlay’s squad for the Concacaf Nations League group matches against Belize away tomorrow [October 13] and at home next Tuesday.
The winger has not kicked a ball in anger for Bermuda since a 4-1 defeat away to Haiti in a Gold Cup qualification match in July 2021, sustaining a severe ankle injury five months later, which sidelined him for almost a year.
He ruled himself out of Bermuda’s previous Nations League campaign as he continued his comeback at his former club, Solihull Moors, and missed the latest fixture window – a goalless draw at home to French Guiana and a 4-3 defeat away to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – because of a torn calf.
“I’m delighted to rejoin the group and looking forward to helping the team,” Donawa told Bernews.
“It’s a new coaching staff, and I’m excited to work with them. Hopefully, we can achieve positive results from this window and future windows.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to get back into the swing of things.”
Bermuda have made a slow start to their Nations League campaign, with one point from their opening two matches; however, Donawa believes their recent performances do not reflect the talent within Findlay’s youthful-looking squad.
“The team didn’t get the results we were looking for from the September window, but hopefully, we can get maximum points from this window, which will put us in a good position,” Donawa said.
“It’s great to see so many younger players in the set-up, and those guys must get opportunities to experience this level and become accustomed to it. Hopefully, they can complement the older players.”
Donawa heads into tomorrow’s match in decent form, scoring twice in Altrincham’s recent Vanarama National League games, and said he is settling in well in his new surroundings.
“I got injured on my debut in the first game of the season, but I’ve done OK since I came back,” he added. “It’s always good to be among the goals.
“The team has been playing well, and the table shows that [Altrincham are fourth]. Hopefully, we can keep that going.
“Everyone has been very welcoming – the fans, my team-mates and the backroom staff. It’s been an easy transition for me.”
