HAMILTON, Bermuda– Bermuda captain Nahki Wells says he is hoping to put a disappointing season at English club Bristol City behind him when he leads his country in their first match in Group B of League B CONCACAF Nations League here on Saturday.
Wells, the experienced striker who turned 32 on Wednesday, told a press conference that his return of three goals in 32 appearances – 25 of them as a substitute – for the Championship outfit had given him more incentive to put his best foot forward for his country.
“Not having the season I wanted this year, I probably have a little more of a chip on my shoulder and a bit hungrier to go out there and do well and score some goals,” said Wells, who scored a hat-trick in an 8-1 win over Barbados in a CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier in Florida last summer
“I am always hungry, and being able to lead us out will be a huge honor for me. I don’t think I have played in Bermuda and captained my country for quite some time, so I am looking forward to the opening fixtures.”
Bermuda clash with Haiti at the Flora Duffy Stadium. Wells conceded he and his fellow teammates had their work cut out against the group favorites but remained cautiously optimistic about a positive result.
“Probably the toughest tie potentially for ourselves and the biggest one being at home against the potential favorites of our group,” he added.
“We know what we are up against, but we also know what it’s like to play here, and we will make that as difficult for them as possible.”
Bermuda – nicknamed the Gombey Warriors – will play their first away match against Guyana on June 7 before traveling to the Dominican Republic to face Montserrat on June 11.
They fly home to play their return match against Montserrat on June 14 before closing the group stage at home to Guyana and away to Haiti in March 2023.
Among Bermuda’s Nations League squad of 31 is Kole Hall, a 23-year-old forward who has just signed for English sixth-tier National League North side Chester for next season.
“I just want to thank the gaffer [Calum McIntyre] for bringing me in,” Hall said in a club press release.
“I’m excited to have joined such a great club with high ambitions. I can’t wait to start playing in front of the fans and giving my all for the club.”
Hall ended this season on dual registration with National League side Altrincham and Northern Premier Division club Nantwich Town.
He has been capped three times by Bermuda, netting his first international goal in a 1-1 draw against the Cayman Islands.
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