Murang’a Seal midfielder Joe Waithira urged the fans to keep their heads up following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Bandari at the SportPesa Arena on Saturday.
Waithira scored a magnificent second half brace in the game to take his season’s tally to an impressive 15 goals.
Despite his goalscoring exploits, his two goals were not enough as Murang’a stumbled to a first defeat in their last five games.
“I’m grateful that I managed to score two goals but the mood would have been happier if we won. The team always comes first.
“However, I do believe that we have learnt from this defeat and we will take those lessons into our next game. We will not repeat the mistakes that cost us all three points here,” Waithira stated after the game.
ALSO READ: SportPesa League’s December award winner Waithira shrugs off Gor Mahia defeat
Bandari took the lead in the 14th minute and held on to it until Waithira slotted the ball home from close range to level the score in the 56th minute.
Minutes later in the 67th, Waithira displayed extreme calm in the penalty area as he turned magnificently to send his marker sprawling to the floor before a cool left-footed finish to give his side the lead.
Everything seemed to be going according to plan but things went awry as the dockers scored two late goals to seal all three points on the road.
“It’s a tough loss to take but we have to pick the positives and do what we can to prepare for our next test. It’s going to be a tough game but we will be prepared,” he continued.
“We do not fear our next opponents, we respect them. At the end of the day we have proved we have what it takes to take on any challenge that comes our way.
The defeat halted a four-game winning streak for Osborne Monday’s side, who dropped into fifth place on the SportPesa League standings with 33 points. Despite the loss, Murang’a remain one of the most in form teams in the Kenyan topflight.
Murang’a will take on Tusker FC in their next league assignment on Wednesday, seeking to bounce back to winning ways. This will be a tough test, with Tusker winning the last four games they have played against Seal.
“Our fans should keep their head up and not lose any hope because of one loss. We are still fighting and I guarantee them that we will give them good results in the upcoming fixtures.
“We are grateful for the support they have continued to show us throughout the season and we ask that they keep showing up in large numbers. This is the most crucial part of the season and we need them,” Waithira concluded.
This is Murang’a’s third full season in the SportPesa League and they remain on course for their best-ever finish.
Since former Kenyan international Monday took over as head coach of the club toward the end of last year, Murang’a have only lost two of the 16 games they have played.
