Wisdom Naya: Former Sofapaka Midfielder Passes Away After Long Illness

Former Sofapaka midfielder Wisdaom Naya has passed away at the age of 19 following a long battle with illness.

Naya played for Kenyan Premier League outfit until August 2019 when he was diagnosed with a rare cancer condition which abruptly brought an end to his football career.

He joined 2009 Kenyan Premier League champions from St Antony’s High School after being spotted in the 2018 Copa Coca- Cola Championship.

Naya parted ways with Sofapaka in 2020 after suffering an injury during training that developed into a painful swelling on his left knee.

Doctors later established that the player had been affected by a rare cancer referred to as sarcoma which led to amputation of his left leg in January.

The operation was done at Sash Hospital in India with the help of his former club  amputate which ended his  able-bodied football to end-for good.

“We are saddened to have lost our former midfielder Wisdom Naya. The youngster has passed on due to soft tissue, Sarcoma. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Naya,” read a social media post from Sofapaka FC.

Meanwhile, tributes have started pouring in from around the country, the Football Kenya Federation transition committee Kenyan Premier League teams and his former teammates.