Football Kenya Federation Premier League top scorer Murang’a Seal’s Joseph Waithira has warned that his best is yet to come as he chases the coveted Golden Boot.
After round 19 matches, the 30-year-old Murang’a Seal FC hitman and captain tops the scorers’ chart with 12 goals.
Ulinzi Stars’ Paul Odhiambo follows with nine goals, while Gor Mahia’s Felix Oluoch and Ebenezar Adukwaw, and APS Bomet’s Philip Wasai are joint third with seven strikes each.
On Sunday, Waithira starred for Murang’a with a brace as they defeated Bomet 2-1 at SportPesa Arena in Muranga.
Muranga, a self-supporting club, are now placed fourth on the table with 30 points, 10 behind leaders Gor Mahia.
Reflecting on his performance thus far, Waithira described this season as “my best-ever”, noting that, although he has played for several Premier League clubs, he has never scored more than 10 goals in a single season.
“I am excited because this is the first time that I have scored so many goals,” he said yesterday. “I never imagined that I would be the leading scorer. The performance has motivated me to train even harder and give my best in every match,” added Waithira, who was named the FKF-PL Player of the Month for December.
Waithira’s highest tally in a single season was seven with Sofapaka. He turned out for the 2009 champions from February 2021 to January 2023.
Fired up by his impressive form this season, the alumnus of St Mary’s Primary School and Koimbi Boys Secondary School in Murang’a said his target was to clinch the Golden Boot.
Gor Mahia's Felix Oluoch.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“I’m sure I will score more goals. If God gives me the strength, I want to score more than 20 goals, which is something possible,” said the former Nakumatt FC -- now defunct, Sofapaka, and Bandari player. In fact, the Murang’a captain insists he would have hit the 20-goal mark had he been more clinical. “I missed at least seven clear scoring chances,” he observed.
Training extra hard and following the coaches’ instructions, he said, are the secrets behind his impressive performance.
According to the striker, every day, he arrives at SportPesa Arena well ahead of the rest of the team for individual training.
While the team’s official training starts at 10am, Waithira said he shows up at the venue at 7:30am to work on his finishing.
This dedication comes at a personal cost, as he travels to the venue by motorcycle, unlike the rest of the team, who take a bus after being picked up from Murang’a town at 9am. For his individual training, he is always joined by assistant coach Dennis Odhiambo, fellow striker John Kiplagat and goalkeeper Wilson Mwangi.
He paid tribute to Odhiambo and the team’s coach, Osborne Monday, saying they have been instrumental in his success. Waithira said that most evenings, Odhiambo sends him a WhatsApp message highlighting the areas that he needs to work on the following morning before the team’s official training.
Waithira says Monday, on the other hand, has given him the freedom to enjoy himself during matches and instilled in him the skill of being calm while inside the opponent’s box. This, he observed, has enabled him to earn and convert three penalties so far.
“His style of play has favoured me a lot,” said Waithira.
Having featured for Harambee Stars just once, in 2018 as a substitute, Waithira said his target is to earn more international call-ups as “it is every player’s dream to represent his country.”
Yesterday, defending champions Kenya Police battled to a 1-1 draw with Bidco United at Police Sacco Stadium, Nairobi.
