Video: Gold Cup Football Press Conference
[Written by Don Burgess]
In less than 24 hours Bermuda’s crucial first-ever Gold Cup game will be history. The squad has put in much preparation for this day, and they are ready.
This from head coach Kyle Lightbourne who told the assembled media at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica that the team has prepared as much as it could have for this match.
“The team is focused,” Coach Lightbourne said. “We know we’re going to have our challenges as a small nation, but we’re prepared as well as we can.”
Captain Dante Leverock added, “We’re all excited. Being here in the Gold Cup is something we’ve looked forward to for a while now. We’ve worked hard as the gaffer has said and we’re excited to be here on the world stage here amongst the Concacaf elite to show we can compete.”
Coach Lightbourne said “We’re not under any pressure – not at all because we’re the underdogs. We’ve come to embrace it.”
He added that Bermuda isn’t under as much pressure as other nations whom more is expected, but he knows getting a good results against Haiti is a crucial step if the team wants to go further than just the group stage.
“Our intentions are to get out of this group, then we need to get something out of this game.”
Leverock added that the team plans to show the rest of the world “what we’re all about in the way we play and make out country proud.”
Bermuda’s game starts at 7pm Atlantic Time, 4pm Costa Rican time.
Bermuda’s team includes Nahki Wells, Dante Leverock, Jonte Smith, Reggie Lambe, Dale Eve, Oliver Jalen Harvey, Calon Minors, Roger Lee, Kacy Milan Butterfield, Jaylon Bather, Lejaun Simmons, Donte Brangman, Chikosi Basden, Zeiko Lewis, Willie Clemons, Jahquil Hill, Osagi Bascome, Cecoy Robinson, Justin Donawa, Wendell Tre Ming, Liam Evans, Marco Warren, and Quinaceo Hunt.
The Gombey Warriors will take on Haiti on June 16th in Costa Rica, then Costa Rica on June 20th in Dallas, and then match up against Nicaragua on June 24th in New Jersey, and in an effort to provide comprehensive coverage of Bermuda’s debut in this highly prestigious regional competition, Bernews has a dedicated reporter traveling with the team in order to bring all the latest action and insights, with the special coverage thanks to the support of Butterfield & Vallis, One Communications, and Bermuda Security Group.
If you want additional coverage, please feel free to join Bernews new Sports Facebook group, where our traveling reporter is providing daily updates and some ‘behind the scenes’ coverage.
