Bermuda Team Named For Concacaf Nations
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Michael Findlay has named his first squad since being appointed head coach of the Bermuda national team for their upcoming Concacaf Nations League group matches.
Findley, unveiled as Kyle Lightbourne’s successor last month, has included several newcomers in his 23-man squad, such as Ne-Jai Tucker, Jalen Commissiong, Aunde Todd and Remy Coddington.
Bermuda face French Guiana in their opening League B, Group C match next Friday [September 8] at the Flora Duffy Stadium before playing Saint Vincent and the Grenadines away on September 12.
Experienced campaigners Reggie Lambe, the island’s most capped international player, Dànte Leverock, a former Bermuda captain, Dale Eve, Roger Lee and Zeiko Lewis are also in the squad.
The most notable absentee is Nahki Wells, the Bristol City forward, who signalled his intention to retire from international football after the previous Nations League campaign in March.
“It’s an exciting time to be involved in Concacaf as we enter a new cycle in the region,” Findlay told a press conference today.
“The entire team and staff are looking forward to our first match against French Guiana, especially as it’s at home.
“French Guiana are a formidable opponent with recent Gold Cup preliminary experience, possession of several qualities, and how they address the competition.
“We look forward to the challenge they present us on many levels.”
Findlay, a former Grenada head coach, said the team’s objective was to regain their status in League A of the Nations League.
“Given the short amount of time we have had in the lead-up to these initial matches, it’s certainly our expectation, first and foremost, that this group of players will compete and fight as a team for a result, which is what we must have as our objective in all these Concacaf Nations League matches.
“In conjunction with that mentality, we will begin the process of establishing our long-term belief system within the group and introduce those key elements required to gain the results we have lacked recently and are needed to meet our objective.”
Is Wells retired? I know there was talk of it, but I don’t recall seeing anything. To be honest he’s looked like he didn’t want to be there in the past few Bermuda games.