Jubilation in Nigeria As Carl Ikeme Beats Cancer, Trains With Wolves for the First Time in Nearly 5 Years

Jubilation in Nigeria As Carl Ikeme Beats Cancer, Trains With Wolves for the First Time in Nearly 5 Years

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:00 PM
  • Carl Ikeme could be returning to action very soon as the Nigerian goalkeeper is said to have survived Leukaemia
  • Ikeme was spotted at childhood club Wolverhampton as he joined the first-team in training, showcasing superb reflexes
  • The Nigerian goalkeeper had been out of action since 2018 when he was diagnosed with the ailment but could be making a return

Nigerian star Carl Ikeme has reportedly recovered from Leukaemia after a five-year battle as the goalkeeper returned to action, Sun News reports.

The former Super Eagles' number goalie was spotted at his boyhood club Wolverhampton Wanderers joining the first-team training at Compton Park.

Ikeme, who had been at the club for 18 years, had to leave abruptly in 2018 after he battled Leukaemia for twelve months.

Carl Ikeme, Nigeria, Super Eagles, Leukaemia
Carl Ikeme returns to Wolves training after five years. Photo: Jack Thomas
Source: Getty Images

He made a sensational return when he went on a tour of Compton Park training ground and met old friends and faces in the team.

Wolves goalkeeper John Ruddy took him around the facility where he met with the coaching staff of the team and other officials of the club.

In a clip released by the Premier League club on their official YouTube channel, Ikeme was captured the moment he exchanged pleasantries with team captain Connor Coady. He also met Ivorian defender Willy Bolly before going on to the pitch.

Ikeme showed impressive reflexes in training and looked sharp like he never left as he was put through the paces by the goalkeeping coaches of the team.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper who spent all his career as a Wolves player was in goal when Nigeria defeated Zambia in Ndola enroute the 2018 World Cup and was seen as the best goalkeeper the Super Eagles have had since Vincent Enyeama.

He had 10 caps with the Super Eagles and made his debut on the 5th of September, 2015 in a goalless draw away to Tanzania.

NFF confirms Ecuador friendly for Super Eagles

Sports Brief earlier reported that another top international friendly game has been arranged for the Super Eagles despite the team’s failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Nigerian Football Federation confirmed Nigeria will match up against Ecuador in June as the South American nation continues its preparation for the World Cup in Qatar.

The game against Ecuador has been scheduled for June 2 and will be played at the 25,000 capacity Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, USA.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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