Nusum Hopes To Repeat Success In Guernsey
[Written by Stephen Wright]
A decade since captaining the Bermuda men’s football team to the gold medal at the NatWest International Island Games, John Barry Nusum is aiming to repeat that feat as the side’s coach in Guernsey, the Channel Islands.
Nusum ended his international playing career on a high, helping Bermuda’s senior team beat Greenland 1-0 in the final at the North Field, National Sports Centre, in the summer of 2013.
The 42-year-old will take charge of the Bermuda Under-23 men’s team at the biennial Games, which get underway with the opening ceremony on Saturday [July 8].
“I have great memories of representing Bermuda at the Island Games at home,” Nusum told Bernews. “It was the last time I laced up my boots for my country.
“I remember the competition having an Olympic feel, but on a smaller scale. It was great being able to go and watch the golfers, the tennis players, the archers.
“I really enjoyed interacting with the athletes of the other countries – you don’t usually get that in international football. I enjoyed that side of it, and that’s what I’m looking forward to in Guernsey.”
Nusum, who stepped down as Robin Hood coach before the start of the 2021-22 season, is familiar with most of his 20-man squad, having worked with them as a National Academy coach.
Team photo courtesy of the Bermuda Football Association [BFA]
“This is an exciting group of players,” Nusum said. “You have guys like Jai Bean at Duke University, Ne-Jai Tucker, who was most recently at Burnley Under-23, and the Hall brothers [Blaiz and Kashe] who have been tearing up the local league [for St George’s Colts].
“Scott Morton, who had the under-23 team, got me back involved. I worked with many of these players when they were in the under-12s.
“I was interested in this project because of this particular group. I was keen to see how they have developed.”
Bermuda start their campaign with three group games in consecutive days against Froya, Orkney and Greenland. They must win their group to advance to the semi-finals.
Nusum believes the upcoming matches provide a perfect opportunity for his young players to force their way into the senior squad for the Concacaf Nations League, League B campaign, which runs from September to November.
“These players have an opportunity to get off on the right foot in the international space and push for the senior squad,” he said. “It’s a chance for them to get their foot in the door.
“Matches will be coming thick and fast, so we will utilise our squad and ensure everyone is ready to play their part when the time comes.
“I expect some teams to be older than us, so we must be up for the battle.
“The goal is always to win each game and keep developing. Hopefully, that leads to the gold medal. It was great to do it as a player, and it would be great to do it as a coach.”
Fixtures
Bermuda v Froya, July 9, Bermuda v Orkney, July 10, Bermuda v Greenland, July 11
Squad
Arnezha Astwood, Jai Bean, Zuhri Burgess, Mason Christian, Daniel Cook, Zdao Dill, Coleridge Fubler Jr, Blaiz Hall, Kashe Hall, Richard Jones Jr, Andrew Kempe, Leroy Lewis Jr, Caleb McDowell, Tokia Russell, Rahzir Smith-Jones, Nizigh Spence, Seke Spence, Adrian Trott, Ne-Jai Tucker, Harry Twite. Officials: John Barry Nusum, Sergio Goater, Timmy Figureido, Aaron Denkins, Ardyne Smith. Physio: Kiwon Williams.
