The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dike

  • Dike relishes win against Lobi

    Dike relishes win against Lobi

    Heartland head coach, Alphonsus Dike has described as huge relief his side’s first victory in the ongoing Nigerian top flight.

    The Naze Millionaires piped hard fighting Lobi Stars 1-0 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 5 clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

    Forward, Fortune Omoniwari scored the match winner that handed his side the first three points of the season.

    Dike said the victory is the tonic his side needed to turn around positively their fortune which saw the Owerri outfit winless in the last four matches.

    “It was a hard match and hard fought victory as we strive to pick up momentum after going four matches without a win.

    “The goal margin could have been more as we missed some chances at goal due to pressure on the players to impress and avoid another unsavoury result.

    “Of course, the atmosphere prior and during the game was a bit charged as some people understandably are already losing confidence in the team and openly expressed their feelings.

    “I want to believe that this victory is the turnaround we need to play ourselves back to reckoning in the league.

    “I’m happy with the win and it came with huge relief to everybody who has witnessed the side’s poor results in the past matches.

    “At least the jinx of not winning on home ground as well as not scoring has been broken with today’s (Sunday) victory.

    “We will not relent but work harder to reclaim some of the points we have given away in our subsequent matches,” said the former Enugu Rangers and Nasarawa United coach to supersport.com.

    The victory against the Pride of Benue, Lobi Stars has jerked up Heartland’s total earnings to five points from possible 15 in the five-week old top flight.

  • Dike scores for Russian club, Amkar Perm

    Dike scores for Russian club, Amkar Perm

    Nigeria striker Bright Dike scored a goal for Russian club Amkar Perm on Tuesday in the UAE in a test game which they drew 1-1 with South Korea champions Jeuobuk FC.

    The former Toronto FC striker scored the equaliser for the Russian Premier League team in the 44th minutes when he pounced on a rebound to score.

    Dike has not been successful signing for another MLS club after redraft recently.

    Incidentally, compatriot Izunna Uzochukwu has quit the Russian club to return to Denmark with OB Odense.

    Fengor Ogude was benched for the game as he joined the team in training camp late after a kidnapping episode involving his wife back in Nigeria.

  • Toronto FC, Dike part ways

    Toronto FC, Dike part ways

    Major League Soccer (MLS) side Toronto FC have released Nigeria international Bright Dike as they look to free up space on their rooster to acquire another striker.

    Dike has been bedevilled by a series of injuries that has seen him play sparingly for the Toronto-based MLS side, scoring only one goal in 11 matches.

    The 26-year-old, who was capped by former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, was sent on loan by Toronto FC to lower tier side San Antonio Scorpions in the NASL but they have decided to cut their losses.

    Dike was primed to make the Nigeria squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup but suffered a torn Achilles tendon – the second in an injury ravaged career and missed out on making the final squad.

    He enjoyed a decent run in the Eagles prior to his injury worries, making his debut against Venezuela in 2012 in a 3-1 win at the Marlins Park in Miami.

    He scored in his next Nigeria game as the Eagles drew 1-1 with Catalonia as the Super Eagles prepared for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Dike’s second international goal was in the friendly against Italy at Craven Cottage in England in 2013.

    It is left to be seen if Dike will try his luck in Europe as he has always suggested he might or wait to see if any MLS team will sign him.

  • Bright Dike gives San Antonio Scorpions first win

    Bright Dike gives San Antonio Scorpions first win

    Nigeria international Bright Dike was the match winner for his USA NASL team San Antonio Scorpions when they beat Carolina Rail Hawks 1-0 on Saturday.

    The FC Toronto striker, who is on loan at the club gave his team their first victory of the season in his second game for the side and he told AfricanFootball.com he is looking forward to more goals. San Antonio Scorpions have four points from five games now.

    Dike has endured a torrid time at Toronto after a long-term injury and the move to San Antonio is expected to get him more playing time at least.

  • Dike out of Mali clash

    Dike out of Mali clash

    Super Falcons’ US-based striker, Courtney Dike will be unavailable for the side 2016 Rio Olympic Games qualifying match against Mali.

    The Olympic final round first fixture clash against the West African opponents will hold on Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium.

    Falcons head coach, Edwin Okon disclosed that the Oklahama State football team forward will not be able to conclude her examination in time for the crucial Olympic clash against Mali on Saturday.

    “Dike will miss the Olympic first leg clash against Mali on Saturday due to her school examination as she will be arriving camp on May 10.

    “However, she will be available for the second leg clash in Bamako, Mali but France-based striker, Desire Oparanozie and Portsmouth striker, Ini Umotong are available to battle the Malians for the Olympic ticket.

    “Umotong actually deferred her examination to be part and parcel of our preparations for the clash against Mali.

    “The duo presence is a huge boost for us as we need our best legs to confront Mali on Saturday.

    “We want to qualify for Olympics and not taking any chance at all, we’ve forgotten the fact that we defeated same side 9-1 on aggregate for a place at the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

    “We’re going for a repeat performance or more to be able to secure the Olympic ticket.”

    “We’re yet to determine the availability of striker, Francisca Ordega and captain, Evelyn

     

    Nwabuoku for the game.

    “Later today (Tuesday) I should be clear whether or not they are coming for the match,”

     

    said the former Falconets head coach to supersport.com.

    Aggregate winners of both legs will automatically qualify for the football event of the global

     

    quadrennial multiple sport showpiece in Rio, Brazil.

  • Dike warns Eaglets against SA

    Dike warns Eaglets against SA

    Former Golden Eaglets coach, Alphonsus Dike has called for caution in the side’s semifinal clash against the Amajimbos of South Africa.

    The reigning world champions will challenge the South Africans for a place in the final of the ongoing African Under-17 Championship in Niger Republic on Wednesday at the General Seyni Kountche in Niamey.

    The Eaglets garnered seven points to top Group A while South Africa finished second in Group B behind Mali.

    Dike said Eaglets must be at their very best on match day to be able to outsmart the equally good South African side.

    “Unarguably, South Africa are a good side, the country’s football has been on the upward rise in recent time. It’ll certainly be a difficult encounter for both sides but the side that perseveres and maintains 100% concentration will go home victorious.

    “That means  the Eaglets must be 100% careful in their approach to the game as well as remain at their very best. I believe they will win at the end of the day but they must not underrate the opponents or lose even a second concentration.

    “Absolute concentration is the watchword throughout the duration of the encounter,” said the former Enugu Rangers coach to supersport.com.

    Dike, however, is uncomfortable with the head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke’s reported outburst that the World Cup ticket is key as far as the cadet championship is concerned.

    “The comment is capable of making the players complacent especially in a semi-final clash against South Africa. The coach needs to quickly work on the players’ morale and psyche as the championship title is worth winning in addition to the World Cup ticket.

    “The Eaglets should win the title and head to the world stage as African champions, it’ll give them added respect at the global arena,” said the former Nasarawa United coach.

    The semi-finalists at the African Under-17 Championship have automatically qualified to fly the continent flag at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile.

     

  • Dike confident ahead of quarter-finals

    Dike confident ahead of quarter-finals

    Super Falconets striker Courtney Dike has described the feeling in the team’s camp as ‘friendly’ and ‘family-like’, following their qualification to the quarterfinal of the ongoing FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Canada.

    The Falconets beat England 2-1 in their final group game to progress to the last eight of the competition for the sixth straight time and Dike has not  hidden her delight at being a part of the Nigerian set up.

    “The staff and coaches are great and I would say it is a very friendly atmosphere in the camp; more like a family,” she said.

    “I’m really happy to be here right now and everything has been going right so far. Everybody in camp is so approachable and it makes me feel at home.”

    The 19-year-old Oklahoma State forward, who has so far scored a goal in 145 minutes of football for the Falconets at the World Cup, also said the unity they have as a team could be what will see Nigeria win the competition for the first time.

    “We learn more things in the game here, and maybe that’s what makes us different from other teams in the competition. It’s more than soccer, what we have .

    “It showed in the way we played against England and we won the game so I’m just so happy and I think that’s what will take us farther than the other teams.”

  • Dike wishes sister luck at Women’s World Cup

    Dike wishes sister luck at Women’s World Cup

    Toronto FC power playing  striker, Bright Dike is happy to  see his younger sister do it in the colours of Nigeria at the Women’s World Cup.

    The Super Eagles striker, Bright Dike made his debut for Nigeria in November 2012 in an international friendly against Venezuela which Nigeria won by 3-1.

    His younger sister has followed in the same step, Courtney Dike is currently with Nigeria’s U-20 Women football, Falconets at the FIFA Women’s World Cup ‘Canada 2014’.

    Bright Dike’s goal helped Nigeria earn a 1-1 draw in an unofficial friendly against Catalonia and a goal in an international friendly against Italy in a 2-2 draw suffered a torn Achilles in February 2014 but recently resumed full training with his MLS team Toronto FC.

    The big brother of Courtney Dike, Bright, tweeted his wishes to his sister on Twitter stating that he wish Courtney and the Falconets who are doing battle at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada all the best.

  • I’m ready for Eagles -Dike

    I’m ready for Eagles -Dike

    Nigeria international Bright Dike has said he is ready to return to the pitch after a long-term Achilles tendon injury.

    Dike tore his Achilles tendon back in February and has been out of commission the entire 2014 season.

    “Whenever the coach is ready for me,” Dike said, when asked how long he had before returning to the pitch.

    “Right now, honestly, I feel good to go so whenever they give me the go-ahead, I’m ready.”

    On his return to full fitness and training, Dike said: “It feels great. I’ve been waiting so long.

    “I was so anxious to get back on the pitch. It feels like Christmas for me.”

    The Nigeria international said he was most grateful to the Toronto FC staff in his comeback.

    “Unfortunately, I’ve been through it before,” Dike said, when asked about his injury troubles in the past.

    “That just makes me know exactly what I have to do beforehand. This time, I’m going to be that much more mobile coming back. The staff has been really great in pushing me to get back, in fitness, mobility and strength.”

    He said he is looking forward to playing alongside some of his side’s new players for the first time.

    “You get so excited to play with quality players,” Dike said. “I’m itching to get back on the field and play up top with [Jermain] Defoe. Any time you play with good guys like that, it’s very exciting.”

  • WORLD CUP MISS: I’m still devastated-Dike

    WORLD CUP MISS: I’m still devastated-Dike

    Recuperating Toronto FC of Canada Striker, Bright Dike has disclosed he is yet to recover from his omission from the Brazil 2014 World Cup-bound Super Eagles.

    Dike suffered a serious injury last February which subsequently ruled him out of the football fiesta but the Nigerian said the allure of having the opportunity to play at his first World Cup finals made his injury healing process to be very fast.

    The forward, who has started individual training with the ball will move to the next and final phase of his recovery at the end of this month with his emphasis on the World Cup.

    But Dike on hearing about his omission from the 30 man provisional squad released by Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi, said it was as if the whole world was about to end when he got the unpleasant news.

    The Imo born striker opined that he was always giving the Eagles’ coaching crew the update on his injury and that he was very optimistic of making a late inclusion in the World Cup.

    Speaking through one of his allies, Dike disclosed that he won’t begrudged anybody over his non inclusion since it would have been difficult for any coach to put his trust in a player that has just recovered from a serious injury.

    The Toronto FC player, 27, however still nurtures a dream of representing Nigeria at the next World Cup finals in 2018 but was quick to point out that he must first regain his match fitness again and maintain his form for his club.

    He reckoned that he is back to his ebullient self will no doubt give him a chance when the Eagles start the preparation for the Africa Nations Cup qualifiers next September.

    “I’m just fine and happy with my recovery programme. It has been the most daunting and challenging periods of my life. I have been doing all to ensure that I recover on time with my sights on the World Cup in Brazil with Nigeria but it was not to be. I have almost recovered now and I have started training on my own but who will go to the World Cup with a player that has just recovered from a serious injury?

    “I know nothing is ruled out yet. I will still play in the World Cup if I keep my form and remain consistent. I was very disappointed when I got the news that I was not included but I later braced up and continued with the rest of my recovery,” Dike was quoted to have said.

    The burly striker has scored two goals from three friendly matches for Nigeria against Catalonia X1 and Italy but he is yet to be officially capped by the Eagles.