Joseph Waithira came back to haunt his former side as his strike from the spot proved to be the winner for Murang’a Seal in a 1-0 win over Sofapaka at Dandora Stadium on Thursday 28 November.The forward was called into action a minute shy off the hour-mark when Sofapaka keeper Brandon Obiero was adjudged to have elbowed John Mwita inside the box, prompting the center referee to point to the spot.##NAJAVA_MECA_8528841##And after a few moments of Sofapaka angst, Waithira dispatched his kick to the opposite side of Obiero, giving his side what felt like a deserved lead.There were muted celebrations following the goal, as Waithira lifted a shirt written ‘Ma Chloe 01’ – a humbling tribute to their teammate and Murang’a Seal goalkeeper Wilson Ngamau who lost his wife last week.The visitors had to hang on for much of the entire proceedings as Sofapaka mounted the pressure in the dying seconds, but couldn’t find a way past Morgan Ambuka in goal.Full Time!Murang’a Seal takes home the win! 3 points in the bag.Sofapaka FC 0- 1 Murang’a Seal#fkfpremierleague pic.twitter.com/D6SqRfEUS6— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) November 28, 2024 The win for Juma Abdallah was significant in a huge sense, as it lifted his side from the relegation places to eighth, a result that all but extended Seal’s dominance over Sofapaka since their promotion to the top-tier.As for the hosts – who might have had the last of their head coach Robert Matano – a fourth loss this season means they remain a point above the promotion-relegation playoff spot.Harambee Stars overtaken by Tanzania in latest FIFA RankingsMatch ReportAfter a rather tepid first 15 minutes of the sole Thursday afternoon fixture, Mwita threatened to break the deadlock when he lashed a shot from distance that was parried away to the right by Obiero.On the opposite end, Ronald Ssempala was guilty of spurning one, two, three opportunities when destined to score; a scuffed ball while one on one with the keeper in the 32nd minute the most surprising of all.Wayne Otieno, from a cleverly looped Mieno freekick, blasted his shot inside the box wide, with both teams heading to the break evenly poised.Half Time!Neither side able to break the deadlock as we head into halftime, still Sofapaka FC 0-0 Murang’a Seal. Who will take control in the second half?#fkfpremierleague pic.twitter.com/CPRIHKv398— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) November 28, 2024 The second half saw Sofapaka change personnel with Ssempala, for his troubles, being hooked off for Bramwel Simiyu, and the highly ineffective Rodgers Kipkemoi paving way for Edward Omondi.It was Murang’a Seal however who came knocking, as Titus Kapchanga attempted a reverse glancing header that beat Obiero but was cleared off the line by the retreating Victor Okello.It all came crushing down for Matano’s side minutes later when Obiero, who leaped high to secure an incoming corner, gathered the ball, but extended his arms into the face of Mwita while sprinting to engineer a quick move for his side.Sofapaka FC 0-1 Murang’a Seal (Joe Waithira)#KPL2024 pic.twitter.com/KlMx8Qqhp0— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) November 28, 2024 Waithira, after a brief wait, gave Seal the advantage, and other than a Douglas Kibet overhead kick that went agonizingly over Ambuka’s bar, a rather comfortable outing for the team seemingly scaling the mountain.
