Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala has lauded the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the kind gesture towards recently retired goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.

The 32-year-old retired from football last week on medical advice having just entered complete remission from Chemotherapy treatment.

Carl Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukemia last summer and that promoted the treatment.

He was the Super Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper before the acute leukemia diagnosis last year.

Ikeme made 15 appearances for the three-time African champions before calling time on his career with Nigeria and his English Premier League club, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Reacting to his retirement, the NFF announced that Carl Ikeme would be sent on a coaching crew before being absolved into the Super Eagles’ technical crew setup.

Okala praised the initiative on the part of the NFF in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akwa on Tuesday.

In his words, the former National team goal said: “I want to pray for his full recovery so that he can come back to normal.”

“I appreciate the NFF for their wise decision to help Ikeme, it will make him to be forever happy and have nothing to regret about for serving Nigeria through football.

“I thank them and encourage them to be sincere in everything.

“As for Ikeme’s retirement it is a minus for Nigerian football because that is a young man with of much potential.” He concluded.