(Nov. 9, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC goalkeeper Jahmali Waite made his international debut, starting for the Jamaican National Team and helping them to a 1-1 draw against World Cup-bound Cameroon this afternoon at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Waite, 23, played all 90 minutes for the Reggae Boyz to add another personal milestone to his first professional season.
After signing with the Hounds as a free agent out of the University of Connecticut this spring, Waite worked his way into the starting role and finished 2022 with eight shutouts in 25 games across all competitions. He also played the hero role with seven saves and three additional stops in a shootout to advance the Hounds past Birmingham Legion FC in this year’s USL Championship Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
The match in Cameroon was the African nation’s first of two final tune-up matches for the FIFA World Cup. But Waite and Jamaica — ranked 64th in the world in the latest FIFA World Rankings, and playing their final match of 2022 — came prepared. Jamaica took the lead in the 60th minute on a goal by Justin McMaster before the hosts — ranked 43rd — tied the match in the 74th minute through a Djawal Kaiba strike that was redirected off a defender’s leg.
The Hounds are currently beginning preparations for the 2023 USL Championship season, starting with the team’s preseason camp to commence in late January or early February. The 2023 regular season is scheduled to begin in March.
