Carl Ikeme will be given honor of performing a ceremonial kick-off when England and Nigeria face-off in an international friendly in June.

A party of the Nigeria Football Federation led by President, Amaju Pinnick paid the Super Eagles goalie a solidarity visit this week at the Christie Clinic in Manchester where he’s receiving treatment for Leukemia.

Ikeme, who was a part of Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA world cup qualifying campaign was diagnosed with the disease in the early weeks of the 2017/18 season in the English Championship.

According to the FA President, Ikeme has been invited to watch the friendly against the Three Lions and also “perform the customary kick-off of that game.”

Pinnick was quoted by the FA’s official website pledging to promptly pay the 31-year-old his financial benefits for being part of Nigeria’s world cup qualification.

“We have also come to seek your permission to be our special guest at the pre- World Cup friendly game against England at the Wembley Stadium on 2nd June. We want you to perform the customary kick-off of that game and if you approve of it, we will immediately request this of The Football Association.”

In expressing his hope that the shot stopper returns to action for both “club and country”, the FA supremo informed the player the visit was “on behalf of the Government of Nigeria and the NFF to check up on you, find out how your recovery is going and to tell you that you are still very much on our minds and a member of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.”

“We believe this is just a phase that will pass away. You will come out of it stronger and still be able to do what you love to do the best, both for your club and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.”