HAMILTON, Bermuda CMC – Bermuda’s new head coach Andrew Bascome has named seven uncapped players in a 20-man squad for the Digicel Caribbean Cup qualifiers in Haiti, with John Barry Nusum replacing Khano Smith as the team’s captain.
The team was due to fly out yesterday ahead of Tropical Storm Leslie which is bearing down on Bermuda.
Bermuda, known as the Gombey Warriors, have been boosted by the availability of two Canada-based players.
Reggie Lambe, who has recovered from a knee injury, and goalkeeper Freddy Hall have both been given permission to play for their country by Toronto FC, but striker Nahki Wells has put his club career before country, having chosen to remain in England with his Division Two club Bradford City.
Clay Darrell, David Signor, Lejuan Simmons, Ian Coke, Jahnai Raynor, Shakir Smith and the head coach’s son Drewonde Bascome have all been handed first-time call-ups.
Bermuda will compete in a group that includes Puerto Rico and hosts Haiti, with the top two advancing to the next stage of the competition.
Bermuda’s opener is against hosts Haiti tomorrow.
A concern for Bascome’s side will be their lack of preparation, having not played an international match since beating Barbados at home in a World Cup qualifier last November.
National Academy boss Richard Todd, who will act as Bascome’s assistant in the absence of Dennis Brown due to work commitments, believes the professional experience Lambe and Hall have gained at Toronto this season will work in Bermuda’s favour in Haiti.
“It’s great that Freddy has been getting some regular games for Toronto. His confidence will be high and match sharpness will be good having started multiple games,” he said.