•Anugweje: No cause for alarm, Pinnick sad
•NFF prays for goalkeeper
By Joe Apu
Nigeria’s World Cup and AFCON campaign got a rude shock Thursday following the revelation that her first choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme had been diagnosed of acute leukaemia, a situation that has left many football fans in confusion.
According to mirror.co.uk, the ex-Boro loan goalkeeper is undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with the condition. The 31-year-old Nigerian had further tests after results of blood tests during pre-season highlighted a problem.
Ikeme had started an immediate course of chemotherapy.
Wolves’ managing director Laurie Dalrymple said in a statement: “It would be an understatement to say that everyone at Wolves has been shocked and saddened to hear the news of Carl’s diagnosis.
“That relates to both players and staff as Carl has been at the club for a very long time and remains such an integral personality within the group.
“At the same time, we all know what a fighter and a competitor Carl is, and I have no doubt that he will take all of those attributes into this battle.”
“We are speaking to Carl regularly, and sending him our very best wishes as he comes to terms with this news and starts his recovery.”
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick while reacting to the news said: “This is really sad!”
However, while Nigerians are fretting over the health status, Professor Ken Anugweje a sports medicine expert at the University of Port-Harcourt said the diagnosis on Ikeme is not a death sentence.
“The situation at the moment on Ikeme is not the end for the player. Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells but that the diagnosis is acute is not a complete one. The disease can be treated and he can return to the game. There has been a precedence of a player that had been treated and returned successfully to the game.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has expressed shock over Ikeme’s diagnosis.
A stunned NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, was short of words after the sad news broke in the international media.
“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.