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Kenya legend Matthews Ottamax has confidently stated he has always ranked Ian Otieno above Arnold Origi and Boniface Oluoch.

The Zesco United custodian put in a solid performance as Harambee Stars drew 1-1 with Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations Group G qualifier at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday.

A goal from Mohamed Magdy ensured the Pharaohs joined Comoros from the group as Togo and the Harambee Stars saw their journeys come to an end, while Abdallah Hassan scored the goal that ensured Egypt and Kenya drew 1-1 again.

Despite the impact the game had on the East Africans' race to Cameroon, it seems final, the solution for the goalkeeping department has been found.

The former international believes the 27-year-old's career would have been taken off much sooner if he had been given a chance earlier.

"Ian [Otieno] has been our own [technical bench's] undoing, had we been giving him a chance to play often he would have been far," Ottamax told Goal on Friday.

"I rank him more than Origi; but even when I was a goalkeeping coach, my hands were tied not to pick him ahead of Origi but deep inside, I knew he was better than both Origi and Boniface [Oluoch]."

Ottamax believes it is a little late to trust the custodian since currently there are no major tournaments coming after the Harambee Stars were eliminated from the Afcon race.

But the former Kenya goalkeeper has challenged all to give young goalkeepers a chance to mature.

"[We have opted to give Otieno a chance], albeit late; what other major tournaments are there to be played?" he continued.

"But if we can develop that mentality of keepers mature with age and keep Otieno until mid or late 30's then I believe our goalkeeping problems have been solved." 

In the group, Comoros qualified after a goalless draw with Togo in Moroni.

Heading into this qualifying campaign, Comoros were one of only 12 African nations never to have qualified for the Afcon finals. 

They only joined the Confederation of African Football in 2003, becoming a member of Fifa in 2005, and before Thursday's achievement, their only footballing accolades had come in Indian Ocean Island Games. 

However, they have been consistent in the ongoing campaign and went on to qualify for the biennial competition with a game to spare.

Simba SC coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has told attacking midfielder Bernard Morrison to stop joking around and pay more attention when given the chance to play for the side.

The French tactician is impressed with all his players in their roles but sometimes Morrison has been a player who does not take his work as seriously as the others.

The Ghanaian midfielder, who signed for Simba from rivals Yanga SC at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, was part of the squad that hammered Al Merrikh of Sudan 3-0 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium during a Caf Champions League fixture two weeks ago.

In fact, it was Morrison who set up the second goal scored by defender Mohamed Hussein, as the win pushed the Msimbazi giants one point away from reaching a first-ever quarter-final slot.

“Morrison is a good player but sometimes he has been a joke, now if the team needs a win the jokes must be set aside and then serious work must be done to achieve that,” Da Rosa said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“Every player in Simba has their potential and they depend on each other in their quest for victory, the journey is still long as we need one point to reach the quarter-finals and it will not be an easy task if there is a joke in what we want to do.”

Meanwhile, Simba vice-chairman Salim Abdallah has claimed they will go for a win against AS Vita despite the team needing just a point from the fixture to reach the quarters.

"We have only one point left to advance to the quarter-finals but Simba does not want to have such a small target [of going for a draw], we have agreed to get all three points against AS Vita,” Abdallah MwanaSpoti as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“If we get three points it means we will have reached 13 points that no team will be able to achieve in our group but then we will need to be the leader of the group to have a good time in planning the quarter-final schedule.”

Simba have been among the best teams in the Champions League this season, winning three matches so far in the group stage and drawing one, and are leading Group A with 10 points, followed by Al Ahly with seven, AS Vita are third place with four while Al. Merrikh are last with one point.

Express FC goalkeeper trainer David Kiwanuka has explained the main reason they have managed to concede fewer goals during the first round of the Ugandan Premier League season.

Unlike the 2019-20 campaign, when the Red Eagles shipped in 37 goals in total, the team has so far this season managed to let in only seven goals from 15 matches, and kept a total of eight clean sheets.

These performances have caught the eye of Kiwanuka, who feels all this has been achieved in the shortest time possible because of resolve and hard work.

“For me, it’s been unity, the defenders and goalkeepers have been working together as a department but also we’ve worked hard because we’ve always corrected the mistakes from all goals we’ve conceded [seven],” Kiwanuka told the club’s official website.

Sam Kawalya, who is also part of the coaching department, emphasised that all the goalkeepers at the club have the opportunity to make the starting line-up.

“All the goalkeepers at the club are good but their timing is different but we train as a unit, everyone has an edge over the other, Mathias {Muwanga] has a better edge because of his experience,” Kawalya told the same portal.

With the second round set to kick off on April 2, Kawalya has maintained the focus is to make sure the team keeps the unity and continues to work hard. He also stressed the importance of getting more clean sheets which can help the team win the title at the end of the season.

“We shall continue to correct our first-round mistakes, although we’ve conceded seven goals, we can reduce the number, we shall continue to work harder and as a unit,” Kawalya continued.

“We’re at eight clean sheets, if we add another eight it means we shall have reduced the leakage at the back, it also gives us the chance to win the title.”

Of the eight clean sheets, assistant captain Muwanga has kept the most (seven) with Denis Otim adding one which he earned on his debut against Police FC, which was the last game of the first round.

The other goalkeepers - Sadat Mugenyi and Chrispus Kusiima - have not featured yet for the side so far this campaign.

Express will open their second-round campaign with a home game against table-toppers URA FC on April 3.

East Bengal's Football Secretary Saikat Ganguly took to social media to state four demands of the club officials from their investors Shree Cement Limited to explain why they have delayed signing the proposed final agreement of the joint venture.

The Red and Golds had entered into a joint venture with Shree Cement Limited in September 2020. They had signed the term sheet under which they were obliged to transfer the club’s sporting rights as well all its assets and properties (including intellectual) to the newly formed company Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation where the investors hold 76 per cent stake.

But now the officials are yet to sign the final agreement as they feel that certain clauses in the agreement allegedly differ from what was there in the term sheet.

What are East Bengal officials' four demands?

1. The club officials want their area of operation, which is inside the club tent to be preserved and separate areas of functioning for the office bearers and the company (Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation) to be demarcated inside the club premise.

2. The officials want the club members' right to be protected and kept unchanged.

3. They want clarity on the club's sporting future and ensure that it remains unaffected if and when the investors want to exit from the joint venture.

4. The officials also want to know why the investors are demanding more than just football rights of the club unlike the investors of their rival club ATK Mohun Bagan where Sanjiv Goenka's RPSG-Group have only taken the football right of the Green and Maroons during their merger.

On Thursday, the football secretary jotted down all of their demands on his social media space through a post which read, “The most confused we ever get is when we try to convince our heads of something our hearts know is a lie”- these words seem almost prophetic when one looks at the current situation involving East Bengal Club vis-a-vis its investors. An attempt has been at play to deliberately confuse the minds of the clubs’ supporters to such an extent that many seem to be making an effort to convince their heads which their heart knows is a lie.

"Are we asking ourselves, why would the officials who fought so desperately to bring in the investors try and get rid of them? The club wants to collaborate equitably with the investors and are only trying to ensure the following.

"One, its place of operation (offices) be preserved and it has made it very clear that specific areas be demarcated for the company and the club to co-locate. Second, it wants its member's rights of access to the club be protected. Thirdly, it wants to ensure that the clubs’ future more specifically its sporting future is protected in case of an exit by the investors. Fourthly, it wants to understand why the investors in this case are demanding much more than what has been given in case of the other big club of Kolkata.

"In a democratic country with a democratic legal set up is this in any way a big ask? As a democratic institution, is the institution in any way wrong in demanding its rights in a structure governed by the legal structure of the land which are all based on the premise of fairness and equity.

"Is there anything wrong if the club is trying to protect its interests and negotiating with its investors for the same? The last time around the club was under a huge pressure to sign the termination agreement with its earlier investor and the same set of people who were pressurising the club to sign the termination have now come back and opined that the termination was signed hastily and without protecting the clubs’ interests.

"Our investors are very honourable men and run by one of the largest business setups in the country. We know in our hearts that they care deeply about the club and its aspirations and we are sure that they would also want to take forward the journey that has just started.

"The reason why I started with a quote on confusion is that that is exactly what certain vested interests want to create and are hell bent on mischief. They would want to fill our heads with things which our hearts know are lies. We are sure that we will overcome this uncertainty very soon and get back to doing what we do best i.e. play football- till then let’s keep the spirits up and stay united. Joy East Bengal!"

On Wednesday, the investors had sent an ultimatum letter to the club officials to clarify their stance on the signing of the final agreement. While no deadline was issued, they demanded an answer as soon as possible so that they can finalise their final stance on whether to continue their association as investors of the club.

Meanwhile, Debabrata Sarkar, a top official of East Bengal club has stated that the red and golds are ready to once again ply their trade in I-League if the deadlock is not broken. 

"If required we will not play in ISL. We will come back to I-League. But we cannot put up East Bengal's heritage for sale. At any cost the emotions of the members will be respected," he stated a few days earlier. 

Now it remains to be seen what happens in the near future. 

South Africa failed to defeat a weakened Ghana side in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday evening.

Ghana were without several key players such as Richard Ofori, John Boye, Thomas Partey, Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew.

However, the Black Stars showed no fear at the iconic FNB Stadium in Johannesburg as they took the lead through Mohammed Kudus' 49th-minute goal.

Percy Tau levelled matters two minutes later as the Brighton Hove and Albion striker spared Bafana's blushes as the two teams draw 1-1.

The draw saw South Africa remain second on the group standings - level on points with Ghana, who qualified for the finals.

Bafana need a point to qualify for next year's tournament and their final Group C game is against Sudan on Sunday, while Ghana will host Sao Tome and Principe on the same day. 

Football fans from South Africa and Ghana took to social media to share their thoughts on the clash between the two former African champions.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:

Luis Enrique said Spain lacked "finesse" during their "uninspiring" 1-1 draw with Greece, while admitting "it is a result I did not expect".

Spain were held at home in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier on Thursday night, with an Anastasios Bakasetas penalty cancelling out Alvaro Morata's stunning opener.

Enrique was left frustrated by his team's failure to carve out clear-cut openings after heading into the game confident of victory.

What's been said?

"Against a retreating rival like Greece that has a strong physical level and that defensive precision we have lacked finesse," the La Roja boss told reporters.

"With so little space [against that defence] we have been uninspiring. Obviously it is a result that I did not expect.

"We have not generated the flow of chances to be able to score more goals. My job is to try to help the players.

"You have to try to solve the games against all the rivals. Greece has come to play their game.

"Every game has its complications and today Greece defended very well."

Why was Sergio Ramos substituted at half-time?

More than a few eyebrows were raised when Enrique decided to bring off Spain captain Ramos at the interval, with Inigo Martinez introduced as his replacement in the heart of the defence.

Ramos picked up a slight knock to his knee during Real Madrid's last La Liga outing, and Enrique said it was pre-arranged for him to come off early in the Group B fixture.

"He was perfectly fit to play," he said. "But we had already talked and we decided that he would only play the first part [of the match]."

Spain's road to Qatar 2020 begins with a whimper

Spain were heavy favourites before kick-off against Greece, but struggled to find a route to goal in the first half hour of the game as their opponents sat back and waited for opportunities to counter.

Dani Olmo came closest for the hosts when his shot cannoned off the bar before Morata finally made the breakthrough in the 33rd minute, producing an outstanding volleyed finish to take his overall tally of goals in World Cup qualifiers to six.

Greece were not to be denied, though, with Ramos' replacement Martinez punished for a late foul in the box shortly after half-time which gave Anastasios Bakasetas the chance to score from 12 yards.

Bakasetas made no mistake from the penalty spot and the visitors held on for a valuable point thereafter, with Morata guilty of missing a free header late on.

What's next?

Spain will now look ahead to a meeting with Georgia on Sunday, which comes three days before they are due to play host to Kosovo.

Further reading

Gregg Berhalter was full of praise for Yunus Musah as the young midfielder shined in his first appearance since officially committing to the U.S. men's national team.

Musah started as part of a midfield three alongside Kellyn Acosta and Sebastian Lletget as the Valencia youngster continued to play centrally after featuring primarily on the wing for his club.

But, in that central midfield role, Musah excelled once again, serving as a key connector that proved vital in the 4-1 win over Jamaica.

What did Berhalter have to say?

"I thought he was solid," Berhalter said. "Picture this, he hasn't played this position since last November with us and to put a performance like that in is commendable.

"I thought he did a very good job. I agree with what you're saying: he was a connector. Very, very simple but effective game tonight. He closed down space well.

"He just made everything look easy, and I think he had a very, very strong performance."

Musah's international history

The 18-year-old midfielder, who was recently named to Goal's 2021 NxGn list, was born in New York but joined Arsenal's academy at the age of 9, having also previously lived in Italy.

Musah represented England from the U-15 all the way up to the U-18 level before joining up with the USMNT for the first time in the fall.

He appeared in friendlies against Panama and Wales, although England boss Gareth Southgate admitted soon after that he was interested in bringing Musah in.

However, the Valencia midfielder recently confirmed that he was fully committed to the U.S.going forward.

The big picture

Musah was a bright spot for the U.S. in the win over Jamaica as he flourished once again in that central midfield role.

He didn't provide the goals like midfield partner Sebastian Lletget, but Musah quietly connected the play and looked confident on the ball throughout his 73 minutes on the field.

Musah also earned an assist on Sergino Dest's opener, although the Barcelona wingback will get most of the credit for his stunning finish from outside the box.

In total, Musah competed for 92 percent of his passes on the day while winning four duels and placing two key passes from the midfield.

Now committed to the USMNT, Musah is expected to compete for a starting role in Berhalter's midfield, which also features the likes of Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, both of whom are absent from the squad.

Further reading

South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki says he already has a plan for Sudan after his side drew with Ghana in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday evening. 

Bafana Bafana came back to hold the Black Stars to a 1-1 draw in a Group C match which took place at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

As a result, Bafana need only a point to book their place in next year's finals, which will be hosted by Cameroon. 

Ntseki quickly turned his attention to their final Group C game against Sudan which will be played on Sunday and he stated that he knows what to expect from the Falcons of Jediane. 

"In football, there's something very interesting, if you look we had more possession, very good opportunities but unfortunately we ended up with a draw and I think going to Sudan it's for them to lose," Ntseki told SABC TV, "because they will be coming at us and we already have a plan for that. They have to play to win, a draw is not going to help them.

"So, in this case they will have to come at us, and coming to us we have very good players who can play on a transition and get us a win."

The draw saw South Africa remain second on the Group C standings - level on points with leaders, Ghana, who will wrap up their qualifying campaign with a clash against Sao Tome and Principe at home on Sunday.

Bafana will be away to third-placed Sudan, who are a point behind South Africa and Ghana, with fourth-placed Sao Tome and Principe having been eliminated. 

When reflecting on the clash against the Black Stars, Ntseki rued Andile Jali's injury in the first-half and he also provided an update on Percy Tay, who also picked an injury during the game. 

"We selected 26 players, we selected those players based on eventualities like that where somebody gets injured or something happens to our players, it is so unfortunate for Andile Jali," he went on.

"I remember when we selected the team for Sao Tome [and Principe] he got injured in the last minute of the game and he could not make it to the camp, we've been talking to him and he was looking forward to being part of this camp.

"For him to get injured in the first-half I think it's bit of a disappointment from his side, I can see even now he's almost in tears but I think with Percy Tau the medical team will work on him, the rest of the guys will have to carry the flag in Sudan."

Patson Daka scored twice but couldn't prevent Zambia from being eliminated after playing out a 3-3 draw with Algeria in Thursday’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game.

Islam Slimani and Rachid Ghezzal strikes ensured the Desert Foxes strengthened their lead at the top of the Group H table, despite efforts from Daka and Clatous Chama for the Chipolopolo.

The African champions headed into the encounter having already sealed their place in the continental tournament in Cameroon.

Subsequently, coach Djamel Belmadi rested a few of his players, including his star forward and Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, for the encounter.

The Desert Foxes raced into the lead in the 19th minute through Besiktas forward Ghezzal, who is making his return to the side after two years.

Slimani then doubled his side’s lead in the 25th minute with a fine strike from close range and moments after the half-hour mark, Red Bull Salzburg attacker Daka reduced Zambia deficit with a well-taken effort from the penalty spot.

Algeria made a substitution in the 46th minute of the encounter, bringing on Hillal Soudani for the injured Ghezzal.

Knowing a win would boost their chances of qualifying for the Afcon tournament, the Chipolopolo intensified their fight after the restart of the second half and equalized in the 52nd minute through Chama.

Slimani then handed the Desert Foxes the lead in the 55th minute to complete his brace but Daka scored an 80th-minute strike to ensure the Chipolopolo shared the spoils with the African champions.

With the draw, Algeria strengthen their lead at the top of Group H with 11 points while Zambia are now eliminated along with Botswana after losing 1-0 to Zimbabwe on Thursday.

The Desert Foxes will take on Botswana in a dead-rubber affair while the Chipolopolo will square off against the already qualified Warriors in their last qualifying games.

Zambia last qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 while Algeria won the continental title in 2019, after defeating Senegal in the final.

Ollie Watkins said he was "over the moon" to fulfil his dream of scoring on his England debut against San Marino on Thursday night.

Watkins came off the bench to round off a comfortable 5-0 win for the Three Lions at Wembley as Gareth Southgate's side made the perfect start to their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Aston Villa striker expressed his joy after the final whistle while promising to keep his head down and take each game as it comes at both international and club level.

What's been said?

Watkins told ITV Sport of his maiden goal for England: "Unbelievable, what I have dreamt about. All day in the hotel I was just thinking that I hope to get a chance to come on, enjoy it and get the opportunity to score. I'm speechless to be honest.

"It's been a good journey. I just feel honoured that I can come out here and play for my country with these players and score on my debut. Over the moon.

"I just wanted to get on pitch for a start. I have and can't believe it.

"I'm going to take each game as it comes, focus on my club form, play consistently for Aston Villa, score for them, help the team push up the table and hopefully get into Europe and take it from there."

How did Southgate react to Watkins' performance?

Southgate singled Watkins out for special praise in his post-match interview, highlighting the immediate impact he has had since being drafted into the squad.

"The first thing you saw was the reaction from the rest of the team," the England boss said to ITV. "That shows you how together they are. They know what it means for him. He's settled in really quickly with the group.

He's a really humble boy and it was nice to be able to give him half an hour or so. For him to get a goal is a fairytale isn't it?"

Watkins goal caps a perfect night for England

As expected, the Three Lions were dominant right from the first whistle against San Marino, whose rearguard was breached after just 14 minutes when James Ward-Prowse swept home a Ben Chilwell cross.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin doubled the hosts' advantage seven minutes later with a trademark header, before a Raheem Sterling strike put England 3-0 up just after the half-hour mark.

Calvert-Lewin tapped home his second early in the second period after being teed up by Jesse Lingard and Watkins had the final say to ensure that Southgate's side moved top of Group I ahead of their next fixture against Albania on Sunday.

Further reading

Riyad Mahrez has shared the story behind his decision to go for the No. 26 shirt at both Manchester City and Leicester City.

In January 2014, Mahrez moved from France to the Championship to boost the Foxes' promotion push to the Premier League but he had just two numbers available – 28 and 26, and he eventually chose the latter.

The 30-year-old decided to stick to the number following his switch to Manchester City four years later because of the success he enjoyed with Leicester City which included their first ever Premier League triumph in the 2015-16 season.

“The story behind the 26. When I arrived at Leicester, there was only two numbers left, 28 and 26," Mahrez told City TV. "So I said, 'Alright, I'll take 26' and it's given me a lot of good things. I won the league with Leicester, got to a Champions League quarter-final and then I liked it and kept it.

"When I arrived here, I could've taken 11 but I preferred to stick with number 26."

Mahrez, who has won two Premier League titles so far, is on course to lift his third top flight crown in England, with Manchester City comfortably sitting at the top of the table.

They hold a 14-gap point ahead of second-placed Manchester United.

When asked about his best moment this season, the 2016 African Footballer of the Year – who has contributed nine goals and four assists in the Premier League this season – said: "I don't have one moment specially, but I will just say like so far we've been very good and that's just everything about this side.”

On his pre-match ritual, Mahrez added: “I recite a bit of Quaran and I just pray, and ask God to make sure everything is okay today.”

Earlier on Thursday, Mahrez was missing in action as Algeria were held to a 3-3 draw by Zambia in their penultimate 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Desert Foxes are already through to the tournament and they sit at the top of Group H with 11 points from five matches. They host Botswana in their final group outing on Monday.

Emilio Nsue scored the only goal of the game as Equatorial Guinea defeated Tanzania 1-0 to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations, and send the Taifa Stars crashing out of contention.

In a match staged at the Nuevo Stadium in Malabo on Thursday, the National Thunder needed maximum points to qualify from Group J, while the East Africans needed a win to revive their chances of making it to the finals. 

Taifa Stars, under then head coach Etienne Ndayiragije, had managed to win the first match between the pair 2-1, when goals from Simon Msuva and Salum Abubakar were enough to give them a win over their opponents, who had scored through Pedro Obiang.

Coming into the Thursday night game, the East Africans knew they had to give their best and get a positive outcome to stand a chance of making it to the finals alongside Tunisia who had qualified with two games to spare.

Kim Poulsen's charges resorted to cautious play especially in the first half, and struggled to get into the opponent's danger zone, appearing content instead to secure a point away to take qualification to the final day.

It seemed they had done enough until concentration lapses in the 90th minute allowed Nsue to grab the winner.

In the Group J game, Libya suffered a 5-2 loss at home against Tunisia.

It was the hosts who started the game on a high and needed 21 minutes to get their opening goal courtesy of Muaid Ellafi. However, the Carthage Lions replied in the 39th minute through Ellyes Skhiri.

The visitors scored their second in the 48th minute thanks to substitute Seifeddine Jaziri's strike. Mohamed Drager made it 3-1 three minutes later before Ellafi completed his brace in the 54th minute in favour of the hosts. 

Another substitute, Anis Ben Slimane ensured Tunisia sealed the win as he found the back of the net with six minutes to go. By the time Jaziri scored the fifth, the Libyans were already out of the game.

Tanzania will now play Libya at home as a formality since Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea have already qualified.

Equatorial Guinea XI: Jesus Owono, Marvin Anieboh, Federico Bikoro, Igor Engonga, Jose Machin, Luis Alberto Meseguer, Josete Miranda, Basilio Ndong, Salomon Obama, Pedro Obiang, Esteban Orozco.

Subs : Aitor Embela, Marcos Ondo, Ebang Ela, Vicente Esono, Angel Miguel, Emilio Nsue, Jannick Buyla, Saul Coco, Pablo Ganet, Jordan Nsang, Joanet Lopez, Ruben Belima.

Tanzania XI: Aishi Manula, Hussein Mohammed, Shomari Kapombe, Kennedy Juma, Jonas Mkude, Simon Msuva, Erasto Nyoni, Faisal Salum, Mbwana Samatta, Iddi Selemani, Yassin Mzamiru.

Subs: Juma Kaseja, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Kelvin Yondani, Israel Mwenda, Salum Abubakar, Hassan Dilunga, Ayoub Lyanga, Himid Mao, Farid Mussa, Thomas Ulimwengu, Nickson Kibabage

U.S. men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter expects Christian Pulisic to feature heavily against Northern Ireland on Sunday after the Chelsea winger played just one half of the 4-1 win over Jamaica on Thursday.

Pulisic joined up with the USMNT in the midst of a difficult spell at Chelsea, with the American struggling to crack the lineup at Stamford Bridge under Thomas Tuchel.

He did shine, though, just before the international break in a FA Cup clash with Sheffield United, and Berhalter says the plan is to ease Pulisic back in throughout the two friendlies.

What did Berhalter have to say about Pulisic?

"It was a planned substitution," Berhalter said. "Before the game we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes,  and when I think about his minutes, we want to progress him in a safe way, but we also want to help get him 90 minutes fit.

"Part of the plan was, he played something like 86 minutes for Chelsea on Sunday, somewhere around there, and then I think the natural progression is a half, and then let him play more against Northern Ireland, a lot more in that case. I think that will set him up nicely to gain fitness here with the national team and go back to Chelsea in a good way.

"The way I saw his performance is that I thought he grew as the game went on and he became really dangerous, very aggressive coming inside, and they were compact. They had a lot of numbers and it was difficult to get his shots through but he was certainly a major factor in that first half."

The big picture

Starting on the left-hand side of the USMNT's 4-3-3, Pulisic showed flashes of what makes him a vital piece of this team's attacking going forward. The Chelsea winger was quick on the ball and unafraid to take players on, as he looked to create danger up top alongside Josh Sargent and Gio Reyna.

However, Pulisic, who was making his first USMNT appearance since October 2019, did show signs of rust throughout the match as well as signs of a lack of chemistry with those around him. At times, he struggled to pick out the right pass and all four of his shots on the day failed to test the goalkeeper.

It was a similar sort of effort to the one against Sheffield United, where Pulisic had the ability to change the game but lacked that one key moment to actually do it.

Pulisic's performance did provide several positives, though, especially when it comes to his still-developing partnership with Sergino Dest. Prior to Thursday, Dest and Pulisic had only been on the same field once before, and it was clear to see that the two have the potential to create absolute havoc when paired on the left.

Dest started on the left rather than the right, where he usually plays for Barcelona, and was routinely a menace for a Jamaica team determined to sit back in a low block. The Barca star beat several players off the dribble and even scored the game's opening goal with a missile from outside the box. That goal was created, indirectly, by Pulisic, whose run out wide momentarily captured the defender's focus allowing Dest to cut inside.

There are some kinks to work out with Pulisic and Dest, two players that do enjoy cutting in, but Berhalter has plenty of reason to be optimistic about that pairing going forward.

Further reading

Germany protested Qatar's human rights record ahead of their World Cup qualifying clash with Iceland on Thursday.

The display represented a stand against the 2022 World Cup hosts' alleged violations against migrants in the Gulf nation.

It has been reported that thousands of migrant workers have died during the construction of stadiums in Qatar in recent years.

What happened?

The Germany players lined up in T-shirts that spelled out "human rights" ahead of kick-off in their first match of the qualifying campaign.

The demonstration follows a similar one made by the Norway team, who wore shirts bearing the message "Human rights on and off the pitch" before they faced Gibraltar on Wednesday evening.

Norway coach Staale Solbakken said the protest was an attempt to put "pressure on FIFA to be even more direct, even firmer with the authorities in Qatar, to impose stricter requirements."

FIFA urged to act

Human rights organisation Amnesty International this week urged FIFA to put pressure on Qatar to clean up its human rights record.

FIFA "has a responsibility to mitigate human rights risks that arise from the increase in business in these related sectors created by the tournament," a letter sent to president Gianni Infantino said this week.

"At a minimum, this means FIFA should use the full extent of its influence to urge Qatar to urgently implement and enforce the government’s own reforms to ensure that the labour rights of all migrant workers are protected."

What's going on in Qatar?

Research from  The Guardian   published in February showed that over 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have died in Qatar in the last 10 years.

However, the total death toll is said to be even higher.

Qatar's legislative body last month announced recommendations to strip migrants of rights they were only recently given.

The recommendations included removing migrant workers's rights to change jobs during their contract, limiting the number of times they can change jobs, and increasing the proportion of workers who require exit permits to leave the country.

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