A Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) delegation led by its president, Amaju Pinnick, were the surprise guest of recuperating Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, on Tuesday.
Ikeme, 31, was diagnosed with acute leukaemia midway into Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series last year.
Ever since, the Wolverhampton goaltender has stayed away from active football, receiving treatment at The Christie Clinic, Manchester.
Ahead of the Super Eagles pre-World Cup test game with Serbia, the NFF team remembered one of its own.
.@PinnickAmaju , Akinwunmi, @DrmSanusi visit @Carl_Ikeme in hospital…https://t.co/pOhHZlVzor pic.twitter.com/Qfj9pCcQ4Y
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) March 27, 2018
“We have come on behalf of the Government of Nigeria and the NFF to check up on you,” Pinnick in company of 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, Super Eagles’ Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi, Eagles’ goalkeepers’ trainer Alloy Agu and media officer, Toyin Ibitoye stated.
“To find out how your recovery is going and to tell you that you are still very much on our minds and a member of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
“We have also come to seek your permission to be our special guest at the pre- World Cup friendly game against England at the Wembley Stadium on 2nd June. We want you to perform the customary kick-off of that game and if you approve of it, we will immediately request this of The Football Association.
“We believe this is just a phase that will pass away. You will come out of it stronger and still be able to do what you love to do the best, both for your club and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.”
Enebi added: “On behalf of the team, we want to reassure you of our love. The entire team would have been here to see you if we were not playing against Serbia.
“Coach Gernot Rohr, the technical and backroom staff are all praying for your speedy recovery. The team asked that I present this autographed jersey, signed by all the players, to you. It is our new kit for the World Cup.”
Ikeme’s immediate boss in the Super Eagles, Agu, had this to say: “As your goalkeeper coach in the national team, I know you are a fighter, you never give up. I believe these attributes will see you through. We will always be there for you as you recover from this illness.”
An ecstatic Ikeme, moved by all the kind words, responded: “I am so overwhelmed by this show of love.
“I am indeed grateful to Nigerians who daily flood my phone with prayers and well wishes. I feel their love everywhere, every day, on social media. I thank the Government of Nigeria and the NFF for all the support and I appreciate my teammates so much for being there for me.”
Before his painful ailment, Ikeme garnered 10 caps for his country.
