NFF to send Carl Ikeme on coaching course with a view to making him Nigeria's goalkeeping coach

FORMER Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is to be trained up as a goalkeeping coach by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) following his retirement from the game after battling with 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.

Last week, Ikeme announced his retirement from professional football, thanking all those who have helped him in his journey. Following this, the NFF has revealed that it plans to enrol the goalkeeper in a coaching school as a goalkeeper trainer and then absorb him into the Super Eagles' technical crew once he is qualified.

NFF general secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said: "Carl Ikeme was an embodiment of absolute dedication, commitment and patriotic fervour in the games that he played for the Super Eagles. The circumstances of his retirement from the game are somewhat depressing, even as we thank God for his life.

"The Nigeria Football Federation will find the resources to send him on a coaching course and afterwards absorb him into the technical crew of the Super Eagles. That is the least we can do for such a dedicated patriot.”

Ikeme played 191 games for Wolverhampton Wanderers and was pivotal in the club’s promotion from League One to the English Championship. He is currently being heavily celebrated in Wolverhampton for uniting a club more renowned for its divisive tendencies.