Tactical Analysis: Scouting Report of Joe Waithira

Joseph Waithira Irungu, commonly known as "King Joe" in the Kenyan football scene, extended his contract with Murang'a Seal FC after a transfer saga pitting various FKF Premier League bigwigs.

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A piece of business that stamps the club’s ambition to cement its status in the FKF Premier League as a mainstay.

Along with the young reinforcements brought in, including Edwin Jumba Wanyonyi, Price Musebe and U-20 centre-back Jackson Imbiakha, and with the current players, Murang'a Seal will now need to ensure consistency in results. Continuity in the coaching staff will also help the club achieve a much better first half of the season.

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Robert Macharia, Murang'a Seal’s team president, has worked splendidly in regrouping the team and putting them back on track, a role that has been pivotal in their stay in the league.

The extension of an experienced and proven player like Waithira shores up both the quality and expertise of an up-and-coming squad.

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The team’s technical bench will need to assemble the best possible lineup, capitalize on the players’ abilities, and maximize their full potential.

In this player analysis, we will focus on Waithira’s ability, his possible positions, and how Murang'a Seal could continue utilizing him.

Waithira is a highly reliable attacking player whose impact can be guaranteed for Murang'a Seal, especially when fully fit.

With a 100 percent dribble success rate in 14 appearances and 1,139 coded league minutes, it is clear that Waithira is highly effective in this regard.

These successful dribbles often result in him either finishing himself or providing a key pass, as shown by his 12 key passes in 1,139 coded minutes.

Waithira possesses the abilities necessary to surpass the above averages and become even more decisive, despite the 30-year-old already achieving decent goal contribution numbers.

The example below illustrates the ease with which Waithira can play a quality pass even when under pressure from an opponent.

Waithira provides an intelligent key pass in behind for the runner.

He has also proved that he can offer diverse passing types with remarkable accuracy and the ability to create danger from any spot inside the final third.

Waithira has developed a strong reputation as a crosser of the ball, with his role as Murang'a Seal's main set-piece taker exemplifying this, given his pinpoint accuracy and ability to use both feet depending on the situation.

Waithira also takes a considerable number of shots for his side, with his ability to strike the ball well with both feet adding to his unpredictability and underlining his threat, as shown above.

In his famous goal against AFC Leopards at the Dandora Stadium last season, Waithira exemplified his vision and creativity by playing a quick one-two before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper.

Doing so against one of the big teams in the Premier League adds to the importance of Waithira's playmaking skills and confirms his standing in the local scene.

Waithira, although not a traditional striker, succeeds in exploiting the goal-scoring opportunities he gets; this makes him both special and reliable.

His ability to beat his man before creating a goal-scoring opportunity is among his biggest strengths.

Instead of opting for the more obvious solution of playing a backward pass to a teammate, he can ride a challenge and either pass or finish well, ensuring that his teammate is in the optimal position to score. As shown below, he beats his man and cuts the ball back for a goal.

This proves Waithira’s ability to be very agile and efficient in such duels. As shown below, he rides the challenge from the opponent and plays the ball in behind for his attacker.

Waithira is well-travelled in the league, having had two stints at Wazito FC and also played for Nakumatt and Bandari FC. He has shown consistency in performance, rarely missing games or suffering injuries.

Waithira can be used in multiple positions.

Whether as a right winger, right midfielder, attacking midfielder, striker, or false nine, he can be instrumental and impactful for his team.

Last season, he was mainly used as an attacking midfielder leaning towards the wings.

Waithira can be very dangerous when playing between the lines and just behind the striker.

Conclusion

Murang'a Seal's decision to extend 'King Joe' will benefit the team, regardless of which attacking position he plays, thanks to his experience.