John Barry Nusum has given Bermuda’s World Cup qualifying squad his seal of approval after insisting that the present crop of players are the best he has been involved with.

As the Island’s all-time leading scorer with 19 goals, Nusum, the team’s assistant coach, is more than qualified to access the merits of Bermuda who warmed up for their first-round tie against Bahamas with two impressive performances against Grenada.

Nusum, who captained Bermuda in their previous World Cup qualifying campaign in 2011, believes the plethora of players plying their trade overseas will provide Bascome’s side with a greater worldly-wide edge.

“I think this team is stronger than most [Bermuda] teams I have played in,” said the former Wolves coach. “Players like Nahki Wells, Reggie Lambe, Dale Eve and Freddy Hall are playing professionally day in, day out.

“We also have a lot of other players coming in from good structures who know the meaning of hard work.”

At the age of 33, Nusum, who plays for Robin Hood in the Corona League, could have feasibly been part of Bascome’s plans for the qualifiers.

However, the former Crystal Palace Baltimore striker, said that he was unwilling to block the path of a younger player by prolonging his international career.

“Part of me still wants to get on the pitch but it’s been a good transition for me and I’m enjoying being part of this group,” said Nusum, who coaches at Bascome’s ABC Football School.

“I think it was time for a change with a lot of the players from the old group coming to an end. For me to have hung around would have been wrong and could have prevented a younger player coming through.

“I’ve actually played with a lot of this group, so we have a bond through the playing side of things.

“Hopefully I can be a good buffer between the players and Andrew [Bascome].”

Maurice Lowe, the Southampton Rangers coach, is another new recruit to Bascome’s new-look backroom coaching staff.

The 37-year-old said that he was enjoying working closely alongside Bascome who coached Lowe during his heyday as a defender at Dandy Town.

“I guess I’m already a pretty well-travelled coach,” said Lowe, a former BAA Wanderers, Bermuda Hogges and National Academy coach.“Hopefully I can use the experiences I have gained to the benefit of the Bermuda team.

“Interestingly, I was coached by Andrew [Bascome] when I was at Dandy Town and it’s a fantastic experience to be coaching alongside him now. He has a wealth of a experience and is a very detailed coach.”

A self-confessed late starter as a player, Lowe’s abilities largely fell under the radar until an injury to fellow left-sided defender Stanton Lewis led to him making his Bermuda debut in his mid-to-late 20s.

He believes his journey from unfancied Premier Division player to the captain of his country can inspire those “fringe” players hoping to force their way into Bascome’s squad for the Bahamas games.

“I was always quite small, pretty good technically, but I wasn’t involved in any of the youth national teams,” he said.

“I was a late developer as a player and yet I went on to captain my country. Maybe my story can inspire some players who think they are being overlooked. It just shows you that the opportunities will come if you keep working hard.”

Bermuda meet Bahamas in Nassau on Wednesday, March 25, before returning home for the second leg at the National Stadium on Sunday, March 29