Dandy Town players Nathan Ntalu and Jahkari Furbert have shared their experience of being part of the Rhode Island team for the tour to Bermuda.

The pair trained with Khano Smith’s side from February 22, and played in the matches against Maine Hearts of Pine and Bermuda Select. On Thursday, both started in the USL Championship’s 6-0 victory over Bermuda Select at Flora Duffy Stadium.

Ntalu, a France-born striker who moved to the island last year after marrying a Bermudian, made way at half-time while Furbert, a player with three caps for Bermuda, got more game time on the left wing, prior to being one of the eight changes made by Smith in the 60th minute.

“Rhode Island was a great experience for me,” Furbert told The Royal Gazette.

“It was a journey getting used to the players and the staff. Everyone accepted me with open arms, I’m so glad I got this opportunity and I had a great time.

“With regards to future prospects, I’ll see what the coach decides then we go from there.

“This experience is going to help me when I go back to play for my club. My fitness is going to be sharp and I’ll be ready to perform in the last four league games.”

Having played professional football for North Carolina before moving to Bermuda, Ntalu is seeking a way back to the same level.

“I’m looking to go back to professional football and if there’s an opportunity with Rhode Island, I’ll take it,” the 25-year-old said. “Otherwise I’ll just keep working hard and looking around.

“The experience was really great, they were a really welcoming group, treated us as family and that’s something I really appreciated. Even the coaches cared for us and gave us good advice.

“The intensity was really high, it’s good for us to have a week like that. It’s really going to help us playing for Dandy Town in our last four games.

“We have to win those four matches, so Jahkari and I are going to take with us some of the professionalism to Dandy Town.”

Speaking on Ntalu and Furbert, the Rhode Island coach sounded pleased with the way the duo integrated themselves in the team.

“They’re both good hard-working youngsters and I think they adapted well in the group,” he said.

“The guys really welcomed them to the group and they felt welcomed. I think it was a good exercise for them to see the difference in the level between Bermuda and what we’re operating at.

“The match against Bermuda Select was a good indicator. The difference in quality was evident once players that played the majority of minutes for us last season came on the field, it was a totally different match.”