Carl Ikeme auctions Eagles jersey to help motherless babies

Carl Ikeme, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, says he is auctioning his national team jersey to raise funds for two motherless children homes in Onitsha, Anambra state, as part of his effort to cushion the effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

The talented shot stopper took to his Twitter page to state that he will be raffling the Eagles jersey he wore against Zambia during the qualifiers for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

“While we have all been affected in different ways by this lockdown, I have been worryingly aware of how the impact has really affected Nigeria. Unfortunately state aid is hard to come by. Hunger and poverty could hit just as hard as the virus with people unable to leave their houses to make ends meet,” Ikeme wrote.

“I’m auctioning my Nigeria shirt from the World Cup qualifier against Zambia. This was also my final game in a Super Eagles shirt!! The funds will help to buy vital supplies for the motherless children and babies in Onitsha and Umunna in south Onitsha. I will also be looking to support other causes in Nigeria whereby the money raised will go directly to the people that need it.”

The 32-year-old former Wolves number one goalie was born and raised in England but chose to represent Nigeria at international level, earning ten caps between 2015 and 2016.

Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017.