Bristol City forward Nahki Wells will return to lead Bermuda against Guyana on Saturday at the Flora Duffy Stadium as National coach Kyle Lightbourne has rung the changes, opting for a blend of youth and experience in a bid to freshen up the squad ahead of their two remaining Concacaf Nations League Group B matches against Guyana and Haiti.
Lightbourne has included some familiar names in his squad with former captain Dante Leverock selected, though he is not playing in the island’s Premier Division since leaving Robin Hood as player-coach in November.
Midfielder Zeiko Lewis, who plays for American club Sacramento Republic FC, is back in the fold, but it is the inclusion of some of the brightest young talents in Bermuda that have caught the eye of teenagers Deniche Hill, who plays for English Premier League side Leicester City, and Sincere Hall of English League Championship side Hull City in line for their first caps.
There is also a first call-up for 17-year-old Harry Twite, who has impressed playing for Repton, which boasts one of the best school teams in England. He has also been selected for the Independent School Football Associations’ English National Under-18 team.
But Lejaun Simmons, Willie Clemons, Kole Hall, Reggie Lambe, Djair Parfitt-Williams, Riley Robinson, Mical Hardtman, Jonte Smith, Detre Bell, and Mason Christian are among the players omitted from the previous squad.
Bermuda, who sit third in Group B, will travel to the Dominican Republic to take on Haiti three days later.
Last June, Bermuda were awarded three points after Montserrat canceled their match in Hamilton.
Not only will victory over Guyana keep hope alive of Bermuda qualifying for the Gold Cup, but it will also secure their League B status for the next edition of the Nations League due to start in September.
“We are in third spot right now and play Guyana, who are above us by one point, and then we play leaders Haiti, so our next game against Guyana is a huge game for us,” Lightbourne said. “We win that game, we stay in League B.
“We have a good chance and then that means Montserrat have to beat Haiti to take it to the last day. Or if we win, and they lose, we will be four points ahead of them, and they won’t be able to catch us on the last day of the campaign.”
Guyana edged Bermuda 2-1 in their first meeting between the two sides last June.
Asked if playing at home offers his team an advantage this time, Lightbourne added: “Playing at home should be an advantage for us, but looking at Guyana they have all professionals now, so we are up against a tough opponent.”
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