Harambee Stars right back Philemon Otieno has given a thumbs up to a host of players and friends who helped him raise over Sh400,000 for surgery.
Otieno who plays for Gor Mahia has been sidelined by a knee injury since August this year.
He got the injury while turning up for Harambee Stars against Tanzania in the return leg of the 2020 Africa Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier, in August.
Otieno who underwent surgery last week resorted to turning to his friends for support after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) failed to cater for his treatment.
FKF President Nick Mwendwa claimed that the federation did not have funds to cater for Otieno’s treatment, while Gor Mahia management insisted the player was injured while on National team duty, meaning the federation had to cater for his treatment.
“I underwent surgery on my knee on Thursday (last week) and I've been continuing with physiotherapy since then according to doctor’s instructions. I am very grateful to my family, friends, fellow players and fans for coming to my aid at the time of need and for their prayers,” Otieno said in an interview with Daily Nation.
He thanked the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (Kefwa) for supporting him.
“Apart from Kefwa, I want to specifically thank Musa Mohamed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Johana Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium) and Aboud Omar (Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe, Romania). Indeed they are true friends plus all those who helped me,” he added.
Gor Mahia and FKF reportedly did not contribute towards his surgery.