‘Nahki can handle it’

Kyle Lightbourne says watching Nahki Wells lift the Capital One Cup would be a “dream come true”.

The former Stoke, Coventry and Walsall striker — now managing Robin Hood in the Digicel Premier Division — experienced the Wembley magic when he helped Stoke triumph in the Auto Windscreens Shield in 2000.

He knows Wells is on the brink of eclipsing his achievement but would like nothing better than to watch the youngster break new ground for Bermudian football when Bradford take on Swansea on Sunday.

“It’s such a big deal because he is the first to play in a major final,” Lightbourne told the Bermuda Sun.

“Shaun [Goater] played there twice and I did once — we both won there but he’s plying in a major final and that’s wonderful for Bermuda and it’s definitely wonderful for him to get that opportunity.

“Bradford have a good chance because of their style of play. They don’t lump it but they play to their strengths. Nahki is fast, they’ve got fast wingers as well, and they work on their crosses and that’s where they hurt a lot of Premier League sides.”

Lightbourne remembers his Wembley day out well and urged Wells, 22, to savour the whole experience.

He said: “I’d imagine he’ll be nervous — that’s a natural thing for players. It’s a big stage, but they’ve done well over the season and in all their cup matches.

“I look back on my day at Wembley and the build-up. He has to make sure he takes as many pictures as he can, enjoy the moment because they don’t come around very often.

“I used to keep a lot of stuff but I got away from it. I’ve got a few pictures of Wembley but I wish I had more. But that’s gone now. There’s nothing you can do about it.  That’s why I would say to him ‘enjoy it’ because when the time is finished, even if you were there, it goes so fast.”

Despite the expected nerves, Lightbourne believes the City striker is more than equipped to deal with the big-game environment and 90,000 vociferous fans. I’m sure he will be able to handle the occasion — it will be good for him.

“He’s shown that in the games against Arsenal and Aston Villa, especially against Arsenal when he caused them problems.

“He took his goal well against Villa in the semi-final second leg — he didn’t have a lot of chances but it was a great team performance.” He added: “He’ll want his first touches to be right, don’t give the ball away, keep it nice and simple, get your shot in, do something that makes the game a little easier for you.

“Especially as a forward if you get the opportunity, hit the target. Do the simple things that can make your game a lot easier.

“If the ball comes up to you and out of three times you maybe lose it twice, the next time it could be playing on your mind.”