Former Tusker FC, Nairobi Stima striker dead

Bandari's FC Felly Mulumba left, is challenged by Tusker's Stephen Owusu during KPL Match at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Saturday 2, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Former Tusker FC and Nairobi Stima striker Stephen Owusu is dead.

Owusu (37) died on Saturday, October 24, after battling an unidentified illness, which had forced him to travel back to his home country Ghana from Nairobi.

Owusu was part of the Tusker FC squad that lifted the 2016 Kenya Premier League (KPL) title. He also won the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Shield Cup the same year.

Stephen Owusu Tusker FC (left) fights for the ball with City stars Goalkeeper Victor Odhiambo (center) and Calvin Masawa of City Stars during a Sportpesa Premier League match played at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on October 23, 2016. The match ended 1-1 [PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH]

Tusker FC CEO Charles Obiny led the Kenyan football fraternity in mourning Owusu, recognizing his dedication for the club.

“We were informed of the death of Owusu yesterday [Saturday] and we are quite saddened as a club. He is a player who served the club with utmost dignity and gave everything for the shirt. It is a sad loss and we pray for the family at this difficult time,” he told Capital Sport.

Wazito Football Club also mourned the ex-KPL striker:

"Owusu was a committed and hardworking player during his time at the club and his demise is a massive blow not only to his family but also to the football community at large," Wazito mourned the striker.  

Owusu joined Tusker in 2015 after stints with Tunisian side Esperance, Sharks FC, Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Lion and Aduana Stars.   

Football is poorer without you. Thank you for the many memories.
Rest in Peace Stephen Owusu ???? ="https://t.co/zuRgFsVKzI">pic.twitter.com/zuRgFsVKzI< — Herbert Mwachiro (@HerboTawa) ="https://twitter.com/HerboTawa/status/1320061403676528640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2020<

My sincere & heartfelt condolences to the family of Stephen Owusu ???????? formerly with Tusker FC. Definitely one of the best opponents I’ve ever played against . Unplayable on his good day & a sharp thorn in the flesh of our defense line. May his soul Rest In Peace. ???? — Ronald Okoth (@RonaldOkoth__) ="https://twitter.com/RonaldOkoth__/status/1320057390583209990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2020<

We have received with great shock the sad news of the passing away of our former striker Stephen Owusu.

Owusu was a committed and hard working player during his time at the club and his demise is a massive blow not only to his family but also to the football community. ="https://t.co/UTOWaHe0Y3">pic.twitter.com/UTOWaHe0Y3< — WAZITO FOOTBALL CLUB (@wazitofc) ="https://twitter.com/wazitofc/status/1320216667989954560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020<

TRANSITION:

We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former ="https://twitter.com/tusker_fc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tusker_fc< , ="https://twitter.com/wazitofc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wazitofc< and Narobi Stima striker Stephen Owusu. Owusu reportedly passed on after a long illiness.

May His soul rest in peace. ????

Image/ ="https://twitter.com/AyodiKelly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AyodiKelly< ="https://t.co/nAaHm09XdL">pic.twitter.com/nAaHm09XdL< — Sofapaka FC (@FC_Sofapaka) ="https://twitter.com/FC_Sofapaka/status/1320286243700248576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020<