Pulse Sports tells you everything you need to know about former Kenyan footballer Ezekiel Otuoma who passed away in December 2024 after a brave battle with Motor Neuron Disease.
Ezekiel Otuoma was a household name in Kenyan football, having played for a number of Kenyan Premier League teams in the course of his career.
A winger, who could also play as a striker, Ezekiel Otuoma played for AFC Leopards, Ulinzi Stars, FC Talanta, Western Stima, and Muhoroni Youth.
However, his football career was cut short when he was diagnosed with a rare disease known as Motor Neuron Disease (MND).
Ezekiel Otuoma battled the condition for four years until he succumbed to the illness in December 2024.
Ezekiel Otuoma Biography: Age, Wife, Career Life, Sickness, Net Worth, What Happened to the Ex-AFC Leopards Player?
How old was Ezekiel Otuoma?
Ezekiel Otuoma also played for Western Stima. Photo/Ezekiel Otuoma Facebook.
Ezekiel Otuoma died on December 21, 2024 aged 31.
Was Ezekiel Otuoma married?
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Ezekiel Otuoma married Rachel in May 2015. Photo/Ezekiel Otuoma Facebook
Ezekiel Otuoma was married to Rachel Otuoma, whom he wedded in May 2015, at a colourful white wedding.
At the time, Ezekiel Otuoma was shining bright in the Kenyan Premier League and met Rachel at a friend’s event.
The two had lived together happily for five years until the footballer was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, an incurable disease that attacks the brain and nerves and weakens the patient’s body, in November 2020.
When the disease took its toll on Ezekiel Otuoma, who could not walk, talk or do anything on his own, his wife Rachel became his primary caregiver and never left his side until his last day.
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Ezekiel Otuoma’s Career Life
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Ezekiel Otuoma played for Ulinzi Stars among others. Photo/Ezekiel Otuoma Facebook
Known for his speed and dribbling ability, Ezekiel Otuoma wowed fans with his trickery and finishing abilities when he played as a winger or forward.
Born in Ramula, Gem in Siaya County, Ezekiel Otuoma like many Kenyan footballers was discovered in school before he went on to play for Kenyan Premier League teams.
During the course of his career, Ezekiel Otuoma played for AFC Leopards, Ulinzi Stars, FC Talanta, Western Stima, Muhoroni Youth and Ushuru.
However, when he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, he was forced to stop playing football as he focused on his recovery. What started as a minor flu turned into something bigger that forced the footballer to end his playing career while still in his prime.
Ezekiel Otuoma had not made an appearance for Harambee Stars by the time his career was cut short by illness.
Ezekiel Otuoma’s Sickness
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Ezekiel Otuoma battled Motor Neuron Disease for four years. Photo/Rachel Otuoma Facebook
Ezekiel Otuoma became more famous in sickness than he was when actively playing.
This was largely due to how his wife Rachel embraced the challenge of taking care of him, endearing herself to fans and well-wishers beyond football who lauded her for standing with her husband during such a trying time and also offered financial support.
In November 2020, Ezekiel Otuoma was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND), an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves.
The disease is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurons. The disease started as a flu which the player and his wife thought will disappear after a few days but it persisted.
His voice started going away while his speech became slurred and that is when they sought medical attention after which tests revealed that he was suffering from Motor Neuron Disease.
Ezekiel Otuoma and Rachel would seek a second opinion in India, which confirmed the same, and this completely changed the life of the footballer as the disease later left him confined in a wheelchair.
Symptoms of the disease include weakness in the ankle or leg, slurred speech, a weak grip, muscle cramps or twitches, weight loss and difficulty controlling emotions like laughing or crying in inappropriate situations.
Motor Neuron Disease is common among older people in their 60s and 70s but Ezekiel Otuoma was a rare case of a young patient.
The disease took its toll on the footballer and by the time he succumbed on December 21, 2024, he was unable to walk or talk properly.
Ezekiel Otuoma’s wife Rachel became his primary caregiver and practically did everything for him when he could not do anything on his own.
Ezekiel Otuoma’s Net Worth
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Not much is known about Ezekiel Otuoma’s net worth. Photo/Ezekiel Otuoma Facebook
Not much is known about Ezekiel Otuoma’s net worth as his salaries were never revealed to the public.
What happened to Ezekiel Otuoma?
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Rachel Otuoma was a key support system for Ezekiel Otuoma. Photo/Ezekiel Otuoma Facebook
Ezekiel Otuoma had a burgeoning football career that saw him play for a number of Kenyan clubs but was cut short by Motor Neuron Disease.
A lot of theories were thrown around over his sickness, including claims of witchcraft, but medical tests revealed that he was suffering from the rare disease, which was diagnosed in November 2020, and he battled for four years before his death on December 21, 2024.
Ezekiel Otuoma was laid to rest at his rural home at Ramula, Gem, Siaya county on January 11, 2025.
