AFC Leopards midfielder Victor Omune has opened up on dealing with huge personal loss in his life in 2019 that nearly made him contemplate taking his life away.
AFC Leopards midfielder Victor Omune has opened up on his struggles with depression following the untimely death of some of his close family members that turned him suicidal.
Omune, who rejoined AFC Leopards in 2021 for a second spell after initially leaving the club in 2016, has had ups and downs in his career.
Although he is now a full Kenyan international having made his debut for the side under Engin Firat against Iran in 2023, his journey to creating a decent career for himself was not plain sailing.
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Having joined Nairobi Stima in 2017, he spent two years at the club up until 2019, but that last season turned out to be disastrous for his career, considering that was the year he endured personal loss, after both his mother and second born child passed away.
Speaking on the Tiki Taka show in a tell-it-all interview recently, Omune opened up on the pain he endured following the tragic loss of two of his family members which left him disoriented.
“:When I was at Stima during my last season at the club, I lost my mother and second born kid. By the time we were done with the burial preparations, the league was about to wind up ,” Omune said.
The tragedies coincided with a critical period for his club. In the 2018/19 season, Nairobi Stima was on the verge of earning promotion to the top-tier Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL).
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However, after losing to Posta Rangers in the two-legged FKFPL playoffs, their hopes were dashed. Omune, unable to train consistently due to the bereavement, found himself unable to contribute effectively when he returned to action.
“After my mum passed, I was not training. By the time we were done with the burials, the playoffs were nigh. We were playing Posta in Machakos and I came back having not trained.
"The game ended as it did and we were relegated, but it was very hard,” Omune said. “I found it difficult to cope during the off season and I even considered taking my life away. It was hard but my first born was giving me a lot of satisfaction. I was able to overcome that thanks to God’s help.”
Omune’s woes did not end there. After joining KCB in 2019, he had to endure more loss following the loss of his first born child, which now forced him into nearly ending it all.
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“In my second season at KCB (2020/2021), my first born died at five due to a short illness. But I thank God for everything because he has a reason. It really did take a toll on me.
Omune credits his wife and brother for sensing his distress and stepping in to support him during his darkest moments.
“ If it were not for my wife, I would have taken my life a long time ago. My brother as well. I do not know, but he kind of felt it.
“ He was very close to me and he helped me push through alongside my wife, but we passed that stage and we are grateful to God,” Omune said.
Despite the immense pain he has endured, Omune has fought through his struggles, emerging stronger.