Ten footballers abandoned after injuries

‘In sickness and in health’ is a popular line recited during marriage ceremonies and in soccer, this can also be applied. However, in the Kenyan Premier League, this is not always the norm as an injury can be the beginning of the end of the relationship as witnessed in recent times 1. Philemon Otieno The latest high profile case, Philemon Otieno finally underwent surgery on his knee after four months of waiting while Football Kenya Federation and his club Gor Mahia haggled over who to foot the bill. Otieno was injured during the return leg of the first round 2020 Africa Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier pitting Harambee Stars against Taifa Stars in August but with FKF telling him to wait until they find money, he realised his career was in danger and took the initiative himself. The operation cost Sh450,000 and he had to rely on his savings, family members, friends and fans to raise the amount. 2. Shafik Batambuze While Otieno has finally got help, his Gor Mahia team-mate Shafik Batambuze is not lucky just yet. The defender needs Sh400,000 to pay for an operation on his left knee and has been requesting well-wishers to come to his aid for close to two months now. The Ugandan left-back sustained the injury while turning out for K’Ogalo in the CAF Champions League match against Aigle Noir and has been appealing for help after the club’s failure to help him get medical attention, owing to financial difficulties. 3. Solomon Nasio A former Gor Mahia player, Solomon Nasio had to rely on well-wishers to get medical help after breaking his nose in 2013. The player was experiencing pain while breathing and required Sh150,000 for surgery. Gor pledged to help but after taking too long, the fans had to step in to help raise the money. Gor cited lack of funds after sponsors Brookside Diary pulled out and the Kenya Revenue Authority slapped a Sh118 million demand on them but the treatment left a bitter taste in the mouths of many. 5. Innocent Mutiso Innocent Mutiso had been a key player for Gor Mahia between 2014 and 2015 until he suffered an injury while playing for the club against Thika United in a KPL Top 8 match in Machakos. The injury came at a time his contract was winding up and Gor dropped him at the start of the 2015 campaign in favour of some fresh blood. The player, who was still injured at the time, claimed to have learnt of the decision on social media but promised to soldier on nonetheless. 6. Benedict Owuor Former KCB captain and defender Benedict Owuor was left furious after the club dropped him on the final day of the 2014 mid-season transfer window. Owuor picked a knee injury during KCB’s 3-2 defeat to Gor Mahia in April that year and expected to undergo surgery after an MRI scan confirmed a torn meniscus. However, the decision to let him go left him in shock as he was left with a huge medical bill at a time he could not kick a ball. KCB maintained his contract had ended and they had the right to either extend or end it. 7. Joseph Ochieng Joseph Ochieng was dropped by Kenyan Premier League club KCB barely 10 months after signing a three-year contract when he suffered a knee injury. Chakas as he is popularly known, joined the bankers in January 2011 from Mahakama, hoping to kick-start his career. However, in July 2011, he suffered a knee injury during training which was later revealed to damaged tissues. He was unable to play two months and the club terminated his contract in November that year. The club defended their decision even as the player cried foul. 8. Harry Gentle The Nigerian defender sustained a metatarsal injury while turning out for AFC Leopards and was sidelined for an entire season in 2010. Gentle alleged that because of his injury, Leopards sacked him without pay and did not even bother to assist him with his medical expenses. Gentle had to rely on support from family, friends and the generosity of Ingwe fans who held fundraisers to foot his medical bill. 9. George Opiyo Former Tusker FC goalkeeper Opiyo sustained a knee injury in January 2013 and the brewers paid for his operation. But while he was recuperation and undergoing rehabilitation, Tusker pulled the plug. He signed for Sofapaka a few weeks later but just a few days after, Batoto ba Mungu revoked the deal saying the player had an injury whose extent the medical team hadn’t disclosed to them. Sofapaka also demanded that Opiyo returns the Sh150,000 sign-on fee they had paid him. 10. Dan Matengo Injured while playing for Gor Mahia, Dan Matengo needed the help of well-wishers to come back to action after suffering a fracture in 2006. After the horrific injury, akin to former Arsenal player Aron Ramsey’s leg break in 2011, many thought Matengo would never kick a ball but he miraculously recovered and signed for Tusker in 2008. It got even better as he scored on his Tusker debut in a 1-1 draw against KCB in March that year.

Ten footballers abandoned after injuries

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Ten footballers abandoned after injuries

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