Ezekiel Otuoma was a sensation on the social media platform TikTok, and his death came as a shock to many who had followed his struggles with motor neurone disease (MND). The professional footballer was born on November 23, 1993, and passed away on December 21, 2024.
Here is his story as told by WoK,
Illustrious career
The footballer had an illustrious career playing for top clubs as a forward. Some of the local clubs he plied his trade include AFC Leopards, Ulinzi Stars, Muhoroni Youth, Western Stima, Sony Sugar, FC Talanta, Mahakama FC, MOSCA FC and Ushuru FC. The prolific forward first experienced symptoms of MND around 2020. This is what forced him to halt his career in the game he loved.
“He was attacked between November and December 2020, beginning as a cough before he slightly lost his voice. After it persisted, we decided to take him to hospital where it was discovered he has Motor Neurone Disease”, his wife was quoted by the media.
“It was difficult raising money for his medical bills but well-wishers came to our aid. We were given KSh2.5 million by a betting firm to travel to India for medical attention but to my observation the drugs were not effective at all”, Racheal Otuoma told Digital Citizen.
Wife and children
It was the rock solid support of his wife Racheal Otuoma that many felt kept the footballer alive. She supported him throughout his career and during his health struggles. Racheal was her primary caregiver and gave everything to see that he had a bearable life.
In an interview on Lynn Ngugi’s show, she recalled how Otuoma wooed her,
We met during a friend’s birthday party.
He tried shooting his shot that day but I did not give in. He never gave up so later I finally gave in.
He was ready to settle down and I was also looking forward to getting married.
He introduced me to his mum. At the time he was playing for Muhoroni Youth.
He proposed in front of my colleagues at work. We wed in May 2015.’
But it was not any easy for her as had a strained relationship with her in-laws. In a TikTok video, she lamented how Otuoma’s mother had not visited her son for four years yet they accused her of profiting from him.
“Otuoma’s mum has never visited this house for four good years. He has never seen her son. But when I speak, I am the bad one. I have covered so many things because of Otuoma. Even Otuoma is tired,” she said.
She went on to add they should leave her alone,
“I have never been counselled, and then there is no thank you. It is disrespect after disrespect. They should leave me alone, I am tired. These people can kill you while you are still alive”
The footballer had children from a previous relationship. This caused a storm when the footballer’s baby mama asked for financial assistance sparking a backlash from Rachael.
“The kids are none of my business. My business is Otuoma if he is okay or not, if he has his m*dication or not. I was married to Otuoma, not his community. Their father is the one who is more in need. They are only seeing Rachel glowing and driving, but behind the scenes, they do not know how my hubby and I are suffering. If she is given Otuoma can she handle him even for a day. She has never seen him even for a day for four years. It does not work like that,” she said.
Building house
The couple built a house in Gem, Siaya, Otuoma’s hometown, achieving this milestone with funds they received from FIFA.
Treating the sickness
Otuoma was flown to India for specialized treatment, but it did not provide much relief. In desperation, they sought divine intervention from a Ghanaian pastor, but this too was ineffective. Despite this, Racheal stood by his side and shared how her friends had advised her to leave him,
“Friends have told me to leave him, that if roles were reversed Otuoma would have deserted me.
Even if he ever gets well and changes, I will have done my part.
He treated me good and I will hang around.”
Death
Rachael shared the death of her husband on her favorite social media platform TikTok. He post read,
