Carl Ikeme retires from football to concentrate on his family as he recovers from leukaemia

SUPER Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has finally retired from football to concentrate on his family after doctors advised him to quit following his successful treatment for leukaemia over the last year.

Ikeme, 32, was diagnosed with leukaemia about a year ago and since then has been undergoing intense chemotherapy with the help of his clubside Wolverhampton Wanderers. Formerly Nigeria's number one goalkeeper, Ikeme has been with Wolves for his entire career, making over 200 appearances for the club.

“I spoke with the doctor and he suggested I should retire because of the toll the treatment has taken on my body. He thinks it’s what is best for me and I can’t really risk trying to come back.

"My health is the priority and I want to be here for my children, family and friends. In the grand scheme of things with my life in danger, it’s the minimum price I have to pay to spend the rest of my time with my family,” Ikeme added.

Last month, Ikeme announced on his twitter handle that after a tough year and intense chemotherapy treatment, he is in complete remission. Ikeme was in goal for Nigeria’s first three matches of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, featuring in the home and away ties against Swaziland in the preliminary stage, and away to Zambia in the opener to the group phase match before being diagnosed with acute leukaemia.