Nahki Wells is urging Bermudians to come with full voice and support their team against Jamaica at Flora Duffy Stadium tonight.

With the match at 7pm sold out, more than 4,000 fans are expected to witness the Gombey Warriors battle the Reggae Boyz, and Bermuda’s talisman is counting on home support to carry the team to a positive result.

“The anticipation and the excitement is bubbling up nicely and playing at home is always an incredible atmosphere,” Wells said.

“Usually it’s a couple of thousand, it’s well received and gives us that extra push we need as players.

“But come Friday night, we expect it to be a lot more than that, with huge home support and maybe some support for the opposition. I’m looking forward to it and I expect a very loud national stadium.”

As Bermuda’s most high-profile player, Wells is earmarked as Jamaica’s biggest threat but the weight of expectation is something the striker thrives on.

“That’s common and it’s a thing that’s been recurring while playing for Bermuda, having been more or less the biggest-profile player that we have,” Wells said.

“But that’s a good thing because if they’re worried about me, then they know what’s to come. Considering we've a lot of other talented players in the squad, I'm OK with having that expectation and that burden on my shoulders.”

Playing at the World Cup represents the biggest dream that a footballer can have and Wells knows that the Bermuda squad is determined to everything within their power to make it on to the greatest stage of all.

“I’m extremely excited with what’s to come,” he said. Not often do we feel as if we’re playing in a competition with huge importance or huge expectation.

“We know our goal at the end of the competition is the 2026 World Cup and that is where we want to be.

“Going to the World Cup is the pinnacle for any player. As Bermudians, we kind of always dream about it, knowing that it’s probably far-fetched or not achievable.

“We’ve got to this stage and we know the outside world doesn't expect us to be there. But we’re here to give 110 per cent and to try our very best to get there. These opportunities don’t come around too often and we’ll be as prepared as we possibly can.”

The experienced forward knows that Jamaica will be tough nuts to crack but insists that his side believe they have a chance of causing a huge shock.

“It’s a huge task and it’s going to be as tough as any opposition we’ve played on home soil,” Wells told The Royal Gazette.

“But we’ve got to believe and try our very best. In order for us to get something, we've got to be at our absolute best.

“In that way, we know that we give ourselves every chance of getting a result. If we can’t believe it, then what’s the point?”

When Wells played for the first time under Michael Findlay last year, he appeared against only Dominica and Antigua & Barbuda in the Concacaf Nations League, but this time around he is committed to every game.

“At the moment, absolutely I’m travelling down to Curaçao,” Wells said.

“Obviously, travelling has been something that has been somewhat of a difficult decision because of the impact it has on my club career.

“But with the importance of these fixtures, the importance for myself and the squad with what’s at stake, I don’t want to leave any stone unturned.”

Wells is one of a number of survivors from Bermuda’s 2019 Gold Cup squad alongside Dale Eve, Roger Lee, Reggie Lambe, Willie Clemons, Zeiko Lewis, Danté Leverock, Justin Donawa and Lejuan Simmons.

Qualifying for that tournament remains one of Bermuda’s finest moments and Wells has been praised for playing a mentoring role to young players in the squad.

“It comes natural being an experienced senior player,” he said.

“Once upon a time I was one of those young players who needed guidance and inspiration as I grew as a young professional and all I can do now is what others did for me.

“It comes natural to me and I've done it on a daily basis at club level. I wouldn’t change and I’m happy to help them to shine their light. That benefits everybody.”