Shorunmu, Dosu call for prayers, support for Carl Ikeme

A former Super Eagles goalkeeper, on Sunday in Lagos said the ill health of the current Super Eagles number one goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, was a sad development.

Our correspondent reports that the Wolverhampton Wanderers FC of England goalkeeper was diagnosed with acute Leukaemia by his club during a pre-season routine health check.

Leukaemia is a malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leucocytes.

These suppress the production of normal blood cells, leading to anaemia and other symptoms.

Dosu, whose football career was cut short after a near-fatal motor accident in Lagos in 1997, added that in spite of the setback it would not be difficult to find a replacement for Ikeme.

“It’s so unfortunate that he is going through this now, this is a great guy, he has done well since his invitation to the national team, and even with his club.

“We need to show him support and importantly pray for him, the need for these two cannot be overemphasised at this point in time.

“We have other fantastic goalkeepers, the likes of Daniel Akepeyi and Dele Alapansu and even in our league, no matter what happened to Akpeyi against South Africa, he is still one of the best,’’ he said.

In the same vein, Ike Shorunmu a former Super Eagles goalkeeper and later goalkeepers’ trainer, told our correspondent that he could imagine what was going through Ikeme’s mind since the news broke out.

“I know what he must be going through, especially at the peak of his career and this happens, it can shatter any man to pieces, it happened to me too at some point in my career.

“I was down when I heard about his illness, it brought back memories of how I felt in 1998, I feel his pain, we should pray for him and be positive, and God will uphold him.

“I think the handlers of the Super Eagles know that they need to find a suitable replacement for him.

“There are talents everywhere, in our league, it depends on what the coach is looking out for,’’ he said.