HAVING experienced his first taste of international football and maximising on his opportunity with a goal on his debut, gifted youngster Kaheim Dixon is eager for more and is now hoping to secure a spot on the Reggae Boyz team for this month’s Nations League games against the United States.

The 19-year-old live wire had a debut to remember for the Reggae Boyz on Friday, netting the only goal of the match to secure a 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in their friendly international game at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

Dixon, who emerged as the most prolific scorer in last year’s schoolboy football season while leading the all-conquering Clarendon College team with over 40 goals, continued his impressive showing, this time at the senior international level, impressing on his debut. He was on display again as well in the Reggae Boyz’ second match of the two-game series, which ended 0-0 on Sunday.

The Jamaicans are set to face the USA in the semi-finals of the Nations League on March 21 in Arlington, Texas, and Dixon, who highlighted that his performances against Trinidad and Tobago have significantly boosted his confidence, also believes he has shown the Jamaican coaching staff that he is ready for international football.

“It was a great feeling to score for the national senior team in my first game and also my first start, so it was an excellent feeling,” Dixon told the Jamaica Observer shortly after the Reggae Boyz’ arrival at Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. “It will boost my confidence a lot but I know that I have areas that I can improve on. I am going to work a lot harder to improve because I want to keep my place in the team for the upcoming games.

“I have to go back and prepare my mind and body for the international game because anyone would want to be in the Nations League squad for their country in this competition and so it would be another great experience for me to be in the Nations League squad,” Dixon added.

Hailing from the inner-city community of Rema in Trench Town, the speedy and skillful Dixon currently plays for Arnett Gardens in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) competition. The youngster also made an immediate impact on his debut for the “Junglists”, scoring in their 2-1 victory over Harbour View on January 29.

He stated that his entire community is proud of his achievements, and they are counting on him to contribute significantly to the national programme and to inspire more youth from an area that also produced France-based national striker Shamar Nicholson.

“It is really a dream come true to play for the national senior team at such a young age because I am making my family proud, and the country is proud of me,” he pointed out. “I am from Rema in Trench Town, and people there are proud of me. They back me as one of the youngsters doing well for the community and inspiring the youth there.”

He said that his primary goal is to play professionally in Europe, and added that he is mentally and physically preparing himself to ensure he is ready to make the most of any opportunity when his time comes.

“My ambition is to play professionally overseas but I am just taking it one step at a time. I know it will happen one day,” Dixon explained.