Jahquil Hill is excited to be recalled to the senior national team after being included in Bermuda’s team to face World Cup hopefuls Democratic Republic of Congo in an international friendly in Mexico on Wednesday (6pm Bermuda time).

The Dandy Town stopper is feeling inspired after being granted another opportunity to showcase his talents at this level and hopes to make the most of his opportunity if given the nod by interim coach Maurice Lowe.

“I am excited and it feels good being back in and around the team,” Hill told The Royal Gazette.

“We have a tough game against Congo, but with the young fresh faces I am pretty sure that we have a lot of players who want to showcase and perform during the next campaign for Gold Cup, so we just have to go out there and show what we can do.”

While he is one of the most senior players in the squad at the age of 29, Hill feels he has plenty more to offer Bermuda.

“I still have a lot left in me, but we have Milai Perott who is a young goalkeeper and is very good, so it’s a tough battle,” he said.

“He is a very positive goalkeeper and I am here to push him. I speak to him a lot and just want to push him as well as I can.

“If the opportunity is there as the No 1 I am going to do my best to take it, but as of right now I am going to take it one step at a time back in the fold.”

Hill will arrive in Mexico in good form after producing a string of saves and keeping a clean sheet in Premier Division leaders Town’s 2-0 win over X-Roads Warriors at the weekend, much to the delight of coach Jarreau Hayward.

“Jahquil has been excellent all season” he said. “I think we have conceded just 13 goals and four of them was when he wasn’t playing.

“Jahquil has been absolutely amazing for us and to me he is the best goalkeeper on the island. Hopefully the end-of-year awards reflect that.”

Bermuda are facing a tall order when they lock horns against DR Congo, who are ranked 48th in the Fifa world rankings and are preparing for a World Cup intercontinental play-off match against the winner of Jamaica and New Caledonia.

“Congo is a tough challenge and they are trying to qualify for the World Cup, so we just have got to go out there and play to the best of our ability against them,” Hill said.

Looking further down the road, the experienced player feels the national team has a bright future ahead and is delighted to see the national coaching staff cast the net wider in search of fresh talent.

“I think we have a bright future with a lot of young players, fresh faces and a lot of guys that haven’t really had much opportunity getting that opportunity now,” he said.

“Regardless of who’s going and who doesn’t, it’s a positive thing that the BFA is doing in terms of recycling players and giving other players opportunities to showcase what they can do for the shirt.

“I feel that is a great opportunity, especially against Congo, for the young players that are coming in and players that haven’t had the opportunity to showcase themselves to show and do what they can do.”

Hill is among four Hornets players travelling with the national team, including David Jones Jr, Riley Robinson and La Zai Outerbridge.

Bermuda Football Association technical development director Lowe, who has taken over the national team on an interim basis after head coach Michael Findlay left his position last week, was forced to make changes to his roster after defenders Deniche Hill and Danté Leverock were ruled out at the eleventh hour through club and work commitments.

PHC player Arnezha Astwood is also late addition to the national team, which departed for Mexico yesterday.