Kenni Thompson is looking forward to what could be her final appearances for Bermuda in back-to-back friendlies against Belize at Flora Duffy Stadium next week.

The 25-year-old forward was a surprise inclusion, having announced her retirement two days before the squad was unveiled.

However, Thompson has confirmed that she had already committed to the upcoming matches before announcing her retirement on Instagram, citing losing her passion and joy for the game as the main reasons behind her decision.

“I had already planned to put out that post on that day, but they [Bermuda Football Association] did say before that there was going to be a camp and I had already said to them that I’d still be coming,” the former Bournemouth Women player told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s going to be nice to have one last kick at it with the girls and with the team, so I did confirm with them that I was still going to be going and I think it will be a really good way for me to go out.

“Obviously I don’t know what’s going to happen with the future. I definitely am taking time off and whether anything changes with me coming back with the national team is yet to be seen.

“But if this does end up being my last two games I think it’s a lot more special when it’s playing for your country, and I’m actually glad that it’s worked out this way.

“This is where it all started and it’s hard because making this decision has made me think about a lot of things, go over a lot in my life, and I have spent the majority of my life outside of my home and the place I come from.

“It’s been a really difficult thing and I think it’s probably the way that I want it to end up playing for my country, the place where everything started is the way that I go out.”

Thompson is back on island training with the Lady Gombey Warriors.

“We’ve had a few training sessions and the vibes are always good with this group. It’s always good vibes and always a good environment to be in,” she said.

“We’re just getting ourselves sharp; touching on a few things mainly technical based before we come in as a group and work on the more tactical stuff and how we’re going to play and set up for the games.”

Cal Dill, the Bermuda interim assistant coach, is delighted to have Thompson’s services at his disposal again.

“It’s always good having Kenni back and to have the professional experience in the team. Kenni can give us some magic for sure,” said Dill, who is serving alongside interim coach Karl Roberts.

Thompson scored and provided two assists in the Lady Gombey Warriors come-from-behind 5-3 win against Grenada at Flora Duffy Stadium last month that gave outgoing head coach Naquita Robinson, the perfect sendoff.

“I am kind of speechless when talking about that game, which in my opinion sums up who we are as a group,” Thompson said.

“We can have our bad and difficult moments but we always pull through. We always come together and fight to the very end, and I think especially with it being coach Naquita’s last game with us.

“That was the perfect way to sum up us a team and her tenure as the national team coach as well.”

Bermuda have retained the bulk of players that featured from their last outing against Grenada, among them FC United of Manchester forward Keunna Dill, who scored four goals in the hard-fought victory.

The Lady Gombey Warriors will take on Belize on June 4 and June 7, with both matches scheduled to start at 7pm and tickets available to purchase on gpass.bm.

Thompson is excited and looking forward to the upcoming friendlies.

“It’s been a while since I played against Belize but we have progressed massively as a team and they probably have as well, so I’d say we’re not one hundred per cent sure yet exactly what we’re coming up against,” she said.

“I don’t think you can take what they were like two years ago and say that’s what they are going to be now.

“But we are always up for a challenge, always up to playing another match with each other, and we’re really excited for the games.”