In God’s hands: Akeem falls into coma

Twenty-two year old former two-time World Youth Cup defender Akeem Adams slipped into a coma last night after suffering a massive stroke and is believed to now be outside the reach of medical science.

The Ferencvaros player, who had been waiting for a heart transplant for the past three months, suffered a relapse last night and, according to an informed source, doctors in Hungary say there is nothing more they can do for him.

“It seems like only a miracle could save him now,” said the source, who prefers to remain anonymous until Ferencvaros makes an official statement. “It is really horrible news.”

The official Ferencvaros website confirmed, after the initial Wired868 report, that Adams’ condition has become critical but asked journalists and members of the public to exercise patience and respect the privacy of the player as doctors and family members continue to fight for his life.

Adams suffered a massive heart attack three months ago, between the night of September 24 and the morning of September 25, and has since undergone at least four supposedly life-saving operations at the Varosmajori Heart Clinic in Budapest, including the insertion of a mechanical heart and the amputation of his left leg from below the knee in late September and early October respectively.

Adams’ health improved notably in November and doctors were fairly confident that the former Presentation College (San Fernando) student would have been strong enough for a heart transplant before Christmas. But the anticipated heart transplant never materialised as doctors continued to fret over the slow recovery of Adams’ left leg.

On Boxing Day, Adams spoke to friends and relatives in Trinidad and said he was in good spirits and that doctors expected to perform the transplant on 4 February 2014.

Then, two days later, the “Soca Warrior” fell into a coma.

News of his latest tragic mishap is expected to be a big blow to not only Adams’ family but also thousands of supporters all over the world.

In Trinidad, thousands of concerned citizens purchased “I support Akeem” tee-shirts from Native Spirit, which was part of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s Heart of a Warrior fund raising drive for the player, while help also came from private groups like the SocaWarriors.net fan site, Presentation College (San Fernando) and Pro League clubs, DIRECTV W Connection and Central FC.

Hundreds of persons in Budapest donated blood to Adams, who only joined the Hungarian top flight club in August, while companies donated thousands of euros to his care and Ferencvaros paid for Adams’ mother, Ancilla Dick, and brother, Akini Adams, to be at his side since September 28.

Brazil-born former Portugal and Barcelona football star, Deco, also auctioned a Fluminese jersey for Adams.

The strain of the tragedy affected Ferencvaros internally too as ex-head coach Ricardo Moniz, who signed Adams in the first place, was sacked earlier this month after becoming embroiled in a war of words with his employer over the care given to the former Point Fortin resident.

Moniz, who visited Adams in his hospital room on a daily basis, was replaced as Ferencvaros head coach by former Germany international Thomas Doll on December 18.

Adams fought on for a week and a half with his family by his side. But the implications of last night’s stroke on his future chances could be grave.

Family members say that the only thing left to do for Adams is pray.

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Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.