Former Harambee Stars' keeper Noah Ayuko in need as only Sh10,000 is collected at fundraiser

 Ayuko is said to be struggling with the bottle, which is why he needs immediate help

A funds drive that was to be held in aid of former Harambee Stars custodian Noah Ayuko has run into headwinds with a measly Sh10,000 so far raised.

The brilliant plan was mooted by former Kenyan international Boniface Ambani in an attempt to help his broke former teammate.

“We haven’t made much progress. Only Sh10,000 has been realised. Things are not easy as it seems,” Ambani told The Nairobian, adding that: “That aside, our brother Ayuko needs quick help because alcohol is also destroying him. He is having a lot of financial trouble.

Ball iliisha, job iliisha (his footballing career ended and he is not employed), so survival has become difficult. He is in a bad state and affording a meal has become a problem.”

Asked how exactly the funds drive was conducted and what he intended for his good friend, Ambani said: “What I had intended was to have him set up a business; not handing him the cash. I spoke with him and he said he can run a barber shop because he’s got the skills.”

“I’ve told him to find a strategic location for the business. I’m doing this because we have time to help him, instead of coming out when he is not with us,” Ambani added.

Ayuko who is currently based in Kakamega, recently told The Nairobian that things have been thick.

“Its true life is hard. I’ve been in touch with Ambani (Boniface). I hope things will improve. He told me to get an ideal location for a barbershop and I’m in the process of doing so,” he had said.

Ayuko, who turned out for several clubs in his playing days, most notably, Sher Karuturi, is undergoing lean financial times. Besides the rough financial tide, the ex-goalie is also struggling with the bottle and needs quick intervention to get back on his feet.

It is against this backdrop that Ambani came up with the idea of a funds drive two months ago to help him reconstruct his life, but it seems the idea has not been warmly received going by the underwhelming response from the football fraternity.

Ayuko’s tale evokes the sad memories of four years ago when Gor Mahia fans rallied to raise funds for the club’s former captain Julius ‘Awilo’ Owino when it emerged that he had fallen on tough times and was scavenging in dumpsites.

Cases of former sportsmen struggling to make ends meet after retiring are awash in the country but it seems the more things change, the more the more they remain the same.