Former AFC Leopards winger Ezekiel Otuoma has died, his wife Racheal announced on social media early Saturday morning.Otouma, who also played for Ushuru, Muhoroni Youth, Western Stima and Ulinzi Stars, had been battling with Motor Neurone Disease – a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system.Former Muhoroni Youth FC, Ulinzi Stars FC, AFC Leopards, FC Talanta, Ushuru FC and Western Stima forward Ezekiel Otuoma has sadly passed away.Otuoma succumbed to motor neurone disease, which he had been battling for several years, leaving him confined to a wheelchair.Rest in… pic.twitter.com/7sLs1qh9I3— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) December 21, 2024 Otuoma was first diagnosed with the disease in May 2021, forcing him to retire from football.Since then, his speech and movement was severely hampered, leaving him in a wheelchair and under the support of his wife, close associates, and well-wishers, who stepped in a huge way to help sustain his welfare by chipping in to his medical expenses.As per the motor neurone disease association, the condition can affect adults of any age, is life-shortening, and there is no cure.##NAJAVA_MECA_8586039##“To my Husband you left a hole in my heart that no one else can fill,” Racheal Otuoma wrote on TikTok. “The emptiness in my arms reminds me of the love we shared. Your love was a gift and I’ll cherish it always.”Rachael said the death really broke her heart as it happened on her birthday, adding: “It will never be the same again. You never said I was leaving or even showed a sigh. You never said goodbye in life. I loved you dearly in death. I love you still in my heart. You hold a place that only you can fill IT.“It breaks my heart to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. A part of me went with you ME. Till we meet again.””I prefer local”: Tusker coach speaks on his wish for next Harambee Stars coachFormer footballer Bonface Ambani, who was among the first people to raise the alarm on Otuoma’s sickness, even helping set up a fund drive said: “Otuoma you’ve fought this war gallantly. It has been a long fight. I remember raising the first alarm, when I realised something was going wrong in his life, health wise. This young man suffered from a disease that affects the nervous system.“It became an expensive affair to manage his medical expenses, but I thank the entire football fraternity that came in, and really did their level best to raise funds to keep our son alive. Clubs, fans. Wadau, Betting companies, well wishers from within our borders and beyond played a big part in sustaining the welfare of this young man. “You lost the war, but the battle still continues. You’re a testimony of how clubs should take issues seriously when it comes to medical issues and insurance covers. Comrade ,you’ve departed. Rest Well Champ.”
