Ailing Sofapaka midfielder Wisdom Naya determined to beat deadly cancer

Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sheffield United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 17, 2021. Sheffield United's Oliver Norwood looks dejected at the end of the match after being relegated from the Premier League. [Pool via REUTERS/Geoff Caddick]

Sofapaka Youth midfielder Wisdom Naya is determined to overcome the deadly cancer and come back stronger on the pitch.

The St. Anthony’s Kitale alumnus, who has been diagnosed with a cancerous, soft tissue sarcoma, successfully went through three intense chemotherapy sessions at a local hospital in Eldoret, on Wednesday courtesy of Batoto Ba Mungu’s sponsors Betika.

“Cancer is beatable and I’m confident I will come back stronger. I know of people who have won this battle. I must return to football,” said Naya who has been out of action for the last eight months.

“Everything went on well, just as I had expected. I’m strong mentally and that’s exactly what I need at this point.”

The midfielder whose next chemotherapy session is scheduled for May 5 joined Sofapaka’s senior team at the start of the 2019/2020 FKF Premier League season before being redeployed to the junior team.

Recalling on how the ailment started, Naya said: When football was suspended, I resorted to training at home. But one day, I just woke up with swelling and I thought that it was a normal knock. I sought medication at the St. Luke’s Orthopaedic and Trauma Hospital in Eldoret and it was confirmed to be a tumor.”

But at first the family was thrown in a state of confusion after doctors gave contradicting information on what exactly Naya was ailing from.

His mother is a however upbeat that her second born son will be back to the field soon.

“He was just starting out his career, but I know he will be back to entertain Kenyans once again. He will beat the condition,” Dinah said.