Sports

Battle with leukemia ends Ikeme’s football career

Nigerian international, Carl Ikeme, has formally called it quits with football. Ikeme, who started the journey to Russia 2018 with the Super Eagles, was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017

Published

5 years ago

July 27, 2018

Africa News Watch

Nigerian international, Carl Ikeme, has formally called it quits with football. Ikeme, who started the journey to Russia 2018 with the Super Eagles, was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017.

A statement on his club, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ website read:

“I spoke with the doctor and he suggested I should retire, because of the toll the treatment has taken on my body,” Ikeme told Wolves Website.

“He thinks it’s what is best for me and I can’t really risk trying to come back, my health is the priority.

“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,” he added.

Wolves said they were sad and happy at the news.

“Having been at the club since the age of 14, Carl is far more than just a player in our eyes – he is our brother and an important part of our family,” said Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi.

“When Carl came to tell us (with) his news, yes there was sadness, but also great happiness to see him so healthy and hungry for the opportunities that lay ahead of him.

“Carl is strong, a fighter, something he has proven in his playing career and also during what has been a very challenging time for him, so I have no doubt he will be a success in whatever he does next.

“We wish Carl all the very best for the future, but remind him he will always remain a part of the Wolves family.”
Ikeme played for Wolves in three divisions – the EPL, Championship, and League 1, in a career that started in 2003.

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Sports

Nigerian couple makes history with Paralympic qualifications

Published

6 hours ago

September 23, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Nigerian para-table tennis players, Kayode Alabi and Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi, have made history by becoming the first African couple to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024, after securing their maiden ticket at the ITTF African Para Championships in Giza, Egypt.

Alabi came out tops in the men’s Class Six category to qualify for his first Paralympic Games, while his wife also picked her maiden ticket in the women’s Class Five.

At the qualifying tournament, Nigerian players dominated in the men’s singles category and claimed the bulk of the tickets, with four of the six entrees making their Paralympic Games debut.

Nigeria also added extra tickets in women’s Classes Nine and Five in successive sessions, with Kehinde Lawal and Ikpeoyi topping their events as champions.

Other athletes who picked tickets for the Paralympic Games include Olufemi Alabi and Victor Farinloye, who both competed in the men’s Classes 10 and Eight at the last games in Tokyo.

Others are Isau Ogunkunle, Bolawa Akingbemisilu, Kayode Alabi and Abiola Adesope who all won their respective classes and will be on the plane to Paris.

Sports

Sorry Namibia pounded 96-0 by France in Rugby World Cup

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Namibia’s participation at the ongoing Rugby World Cup in France took a big dent when they were trounced 96-0 by the host who reached the quarter-finals of the competition with their biggest-ever win.

The one-sided Pool A encounter on Thursday evening at the Marseille’s Stade Velodrome saw France running up the huge score against the Africans, showing the gulf in class between the two teams.

In the match, Damian Penaud scored a hat-trick, while Jonathan Danty, Charles Ollivon and Louis Bielle-Biarry all scored twice to make mince meat of their opponents.

Thibaud Flament, Dupont and substitutes Baptiste Couillard and Melvyn Jaminet also scored, while Thomas Ramos kicked 12 conversions.

The host nation made 12 changes from their 27-12 victory over Uruguay, bringing back their big names and from the first whistle, dominated and outclassed a sorry Namibian side.

But it was not all good news for France as skipper Antoine Dupont was forced off the field with a head injury and will be sweating on his fitness ahead of the quarter-finals match.

Dupont was struck by Namibia captain Johan Deysel in the side of his head a few minutes into the second half and immediately left the field, being taken to hospital for a suspected fractured cheek.