‘Playing in front of our people and my country is always an honour’
Nahki Wells has urged the public to throw their support firmly behind the national team as he makes his international return for the pivotal Concacaf Nations League on home turf next week.
The Bristol City striker is poised to make the first appearance for his country in more than a year in the matches against Dominica at Flora Duffy Stadium on October 12 and 15, and he is excited to again be playing a major role..
“I am looking forward to being back among the squad,” Wells told The Royal Gazette before Bristol City’s goalless draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday last night, in which he came on as a second-half substitute.
“It’s been over a year since I last played for the country and, having stepped away from it, I am excited to be back in the fold and back among the selected players to help us in the upcoming games.
“It’s two home fixtures, so to be playing in front of our people and my country is always an honour. Equally, knowing that I don’t have forever left means this is something I will cherish as a senior player.
“I’m also just looking forward to getting a game, something that I’ve probably been lacking so far this season with Bristol City, so I know I could be coming back into a really important role for the games coming up.”
Bermuda suffered defeat to ten-men Dominican Republic in their opening group match before bouncing back with a 1-0 victory against Antigua & Barbuda and they will now look to maintain that momentum to keep their hopes of qualifying for next year’s Concacaf Gold Cup alive.
“We have two games against Dominica and they are two important games as it’s the Nations League,” Wells added.
“We got off to a poor start in the first game against Dominican Republic and then we won against Antigua and Barbuda so that was an important win.
“It was disappointing obviously to see us lose a game playing against ten men for the most part, so that was frustrating, but now these two games are must win-games for us, so that will be the focus. We will be on home soil for both fixtures and we must look to take six points from these games against Dominica.
“They are level with us points-wise so we must win and look to try and catch up to Dominican Republic, so fingers crossed we can.
“I am excited and hopefully we can get a packed stadium, get a lot of the nation out to support us, get behind us and be that twelfth man. It’s always an honour to be playing on home soil for my people so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Wells is back among the senior players in Michael Findlay’s squad along with fellow former captain Danté Leverock, Reggie Lambe, Bermuda’s most capped player, Zeiko Lewis, Roger Lee, Willie Clemons and goalkeeper Dale Eve.
Union Omaha midfielder Lewis and Binfield FC defender Reese Jones have returned from injury, while North Village defender Seke Spence has been called for up for senior national squad duty for the first time.
Wells took the time to offer his vies on the squad and is pleased to be linking up again with some former team-mates.
“I think the team is picking itself with what’s available and who’s available,” Wells said.
“I’m sure it’s never easy for the manager with people’s obligations and circumstances and it’s a lot more difficult to have the availability of everyone but there are faces I am faniliar with.
“There are a few young faces I don’t know too well but I am sure I will get to know them, and it seems that we have a good mix with some experience.
“We still have Danté Leverock, Roger Lee, Reggie Lambe and myself who have been in the fold for ten-plus years and are there to play that pivotal role as experienced players and the spine of the team, which is essential.”
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