James Situma has faulted Badr Yassin for a wrong penalty call in the 1-2 loss to AFC Leopards in the Round 25 league match played at the Kenyatta Stadium on Sunday.
Whyvonne Isuza converted from the spot at the half hour mark after Situma was adjudged to have fouled Jaffery Owiti inside the box.
“For sure that was not a penalty. When I decided to tackle him I knew he was outside the box. I was shocked by his (Badr’s) decision,” began Situma.
Deep into stoppage time of the first half, Situma scored his first goal for the club to draw the game level heading into the interval.
“This was my third game and scoring was a big plus. It motivates me to continue working hard and repay the faith that the coach has shown in me,” he added.
Marvin Omondi’s second half goal confirmed the hosts’ victory even after losing Isuza who was sent off for a second bookable offence. Despite the loss, Situma is confident that the team will soon bounce back to winning ways.
“We showed a lot of improvement in this match and that shows that the hard work in training is paying off. We just need to remain focused and approach the remaining nine matches with the same mentality,” asserted the Kenyan international.
He can play as a central defender or as a central midfielder. He achieved great success in his first spell at Sofapaka before his move to KF Tirana, winning 4 trophies during his 4 years at the club including their first ever Kenya Premier League title as well as captaining the side in the CAF Champions League.
He signed a two-year contract with KF Tirana on 2 July 2011, making him the first Kenyan to ever play in Albania. He made his Tirana debut in a UEFA Europa League qualifying match against Slovakian side Spartak Trnava on 14 July 2011, he started the game in the centre of midfield and helped his side to a goal less draw.
Situma’s first trophy in European and Albanian football came in just his second game, as he won the 2011 Albanian Supercup against the champions of Albania Skënderbeu Korçë in a 1-0 win.
On 26 January 2015, it was announced that Situma joined Tusker from A.F.C. Leopards. He made his debut for Tusker in a 1–1 draw against Thika United at the Thika Municipal Stadium, on the side’s first league game of the 2015 season on 21 February.
Meanwhile, AFC Leopards head coach Zapata Rodolfo was delighted with his team’s performance in the 2-1 win over Mathare United on Sunday 5th August at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
“We played well against one of the teams that plays good football. We showed great character not to concede after the red card and I am happy with the boys,” he said.
Zapata made three changes in the second half introducing Tsuma Said, Victor Majid and Brian Marita for Ezekiel Seda, Moses Mburu and Dennis Sikhayi and the the Argentine was happy with the contribution they made.
” The changes I made also helped us maintain our shape and protect the win, it’s an important win for the team and to all supporters of AFC Leopards who came here in numbers to support the team today,” he added.