Former Kenyan international, Abdalla Juma, is battling depression and living in abject poverty in Mombasa County.
In a recent interview with The Buzz Kenya, the family of the former Thika United player described how Juma’s health condition has deteriorated.
Her mother, Amina Hussein Omar disclosed that Abdalla talks alone most of the time and only thinks about money.
“Now he doesn't want to do anything. He doesn't sleep and walks a lot. He can even walk to Likoni and fail to come back. He spends his time at the shores of the ocean, showers and washes his clothes there.
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“He denies that he is not feeling well, and when you tell him he is sick, he will have a disagreement with you.
“Also, he practices a lot while saying that there is a team called Manchester that will sign him. He only thinks about money,” she disclosed.
Amina added that the condition started when his son was still in Nairobi. They used to send him medicine, but one day the family was alarmed after receiving a call through which they learnt that Juma’s condition had worsened.
Abdalla’s mother further divulged that they have tried everything to help him get better, but their efforts have not borne fruits yet.
The family even took Juma to a Mombasa-based hospital but the physicians reportedly had exhausted all medical procedures that can cure the condition. In her closing remarks, Amina requested well-wishers to help them take care of Abdalla.
“His condition makes me feel very bad because I depend on him for everything. Even this piece of land, Abdalla is the one who bought it while still playing professional football back in 2012. We have been told he has depression but we don't know what caused that condition.
“My prayer is to get help for my son, to get back to his normal life. If he gets well, I will be very happy, because he is making our lives very complicated. If he goes back to playing football or gets a job, I will be very grateful,” she ended.
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Zaitoni Juma, Abdalla’s elder sister, echoed their mother's comments explaining the impact the condition has taken a huge toll on her.
“All of us do not have peace of mind, because Abdalla had achieved a lot in his football career. And so, we all depended on him. So our prayer is for someone to help Abdalla to get well and play football again because he still loves the game," explained Zaitoni.
Former Harambee Stars midfielder, Crispin Olando, who organized the interview described Abdalla as a talented player who needs help to get back to his best.
“Abdala is like a brother to me. We have been through a lot with him. We used to play together at Thika United and the national team. So, we are not happy with what he is currently going through.
"Our local teams particularly here in Kenya or Africa do not have any plans to look after a player. When he gets a problem, they don't help. Some of them don't even pay salaries.
“This makes players lose morale and even quit football. So they need to have a good plan to look after players and be with them in good and bad times,” he ended.
Apart from Harambee Stars and Thika United, Abdalla also played for Posta Rangers, Sofapaka and AFC Leopards - he was one of the best left-backs then.
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