The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed shock and
dismay at news on Thursday evening that Super Eagles' number one
goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, had been diagnosed with acute leukemia.
A stunned NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, was
lost for words after the sad news broke in the international media. "What? This
is very, very sad. Carl Ikeme diagnosed with acute leukemia? This is harsh."
Sanusi stated that the NFF and the Nigerian Football family
would rally round the energetic shot –stopper in his difficult period.
"Our thoughts are with Carl at this difficult period. The
NFF and the football fraternity in Nigeria are taken aback by this sad
development, knowing how strong Carl has been in goal for Nigeria since he made
his debut in 2015.
"We have been told that he will start chemotherapy
immediately. We want him to stay strong and remain the self –assured man that
he has always been, and we will continue to pray for him and wish him the best
with regards to the treatment," Sanusi said.
Ikeme has always shown ability, agility and high level of
confidence between the sticks for Nigeria, since taking up the number one
goalie’s responsibilities following the sudden retirement of three –time World
Cup star Vincent Enyeama from international football in October 2015.
He was in goal for the Super Eagles over two legs of the
2018 FIFA World Cup preliminary round against Swaziland, as well as the 2-1
defeat of Zambia in Ndola at the beginning of the group phase of the 2018 FIFA
World Cup race. He was also in action against Tanzania and Egypt in 2017 Africa
Cup of Nations qualifying matches, and in friendly games against Mali and
Luxembourg in Europe last year summer.
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