A SOURCE close to the FC Toronto of Canada’s Super Eagles’ striker, Bright Dike has told SportingLife that the player still nurses hope of a dramatic place in the Brazil 2014 World Cup bound Nigeria’s national team.
Dike, who has resumed biking and swimming to gain match fitness SportingLife has been told, would start light training in the next two weeks as he strives to make a late push into the Stephen Keshi’s preliminary list to the World Cup.
The source hinted that Dike has always been in close touch with Eagles’ boss, Stephen Keshi and his assistant, Daniel Amokachi to feed them the latest about his recovery rate and what remains for him to commence serious training again.
“Bright is not ruling out a last ditch attempt to make the Eagles’ squad. This self eagerness to make it to the World Cup is also aiding his recovery. He has started swimming and biking like he did tell you and he has also told me that in the next two or three weeks he will start jogging and doing other light training.
“He is not pushing for an inclusion at all cost but Bright is doing everything to keep fit for Nigeria and his club, FC Toronto,” his close source told SportingLife.
He added:”Bright has also been keeping in touch with Eagles’ head coach, Keshi and his assistant, Amokachi. He has been updating them about the latest in his recovery programme and he told me they were quite happy to hear the positive news that he will soon be fit again.”
Dike sustained an injury in February this year and the initial prognosis stated that he would be out of the World Cup but it seemed the Imo born player is recovering fast ahead of schedule.
Tag: Dike
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Dike to start light training in three weeks
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Dike opens goals account for new club
Bright Dike finally opened his goals account at new club, Toronto fc, when he scored the second goal in a 4-1 rout of fellow strugglers, DC United in an MLS game on Saturday.
Dike was named as one of the starters, despite DC United’s revelation that they have made special plans to stop him.
But it started rather badly for Toronto, as Jared Jeffrey opened scoring with a goal for the visiting DC United after just 11minutes.
That lead lasted all of 10 minutes before Darel Russell fired the home side level.
It was all square at half time, and remained so till the 67th minute, when Dike scored to make it 2-1.
It got much worse for the visitors, as one of their own, Conor Shanosky, scored an own goal with 71 minutes played, to make it 3-1 to the home side.
Then, with the clock ticking down, Álvaro Rey made it 4-1 in the 87 minute, to seal a comfortable win for Toronto fc.
The win is the first for Toronto in nine matches, as they last tasted victory on August 5 in an away tie against New England.
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Huge fees scuttle Dike’s Celtic move
A close confidant of Super Eagles striker Bright Dike has disclosed that the player trained with Scottish League champions, Celtic a few days ago and only returned to the United States after negotiations broke down between FC Toronto and the Hoops.
Speculation had been on before the off season started in the United States that Celtic had offered to allow Dike have his break with them, with reasonable fees, to keep him in shape ahead of next season in the US.
But the Imo State-born player won’t be joining Celtic after his club, FC Toronto and the Bhoys failed to agree on the short loan fees for the soft-spoken Nigerian.
The source told SportingLife that Toronto FC slapped a three to four million pounds fee on the Nigerian before they could sanction the loan move.
Dike is trying to get a club in Europe to keep him busy during the league break and to also keep him in shape ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup where he is seeking a place with the Super Eagles.
SportingLife was informed that Toronto FC recalled their prize asset and declared the deal off to the disappointment of the Nigerian.
The source however further hinted that the player is still making frantic efforts to secure a club in Europe to boost his World Cup chances despite the insistence of his US club not to allow him go on the cheap.
Dike is currently in the US where he is enjoying the break with his parents in the city of Oklahoma. He has a record of two goals from three friendly matches with the Super Eagles.
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MLS website, fans celebrate Dike
Super Eagles striker, Bright Dike was the object of mass adoration in the United States, following his goal against Italy in the international friendly played at Craven Cottage on Monday.
The Oklahoma-born Toronto FC striker scored his second goal in only his second start for the Eagles, as his header drew Nigeria level.
The website of Major League Soccer, the body that runs United States biggest football league, wrote that on a night when no other MLS player was on international duty, Dike covered himself in glory.
But it was the comments on the story that would gladden Dike’s heart.
“Glad to see Dike get his goal!! I hope a certain Obafemi Martins is watching. No excuses to not make the Nigeria squad now. You CAN do it in MLS,” commented another fan.
“Dike (“The Beast”) has proven once again (and again) that he is a force in the MLS…and for Nigeria”!…wrote yet another.
While it is not certain the big striker will make the World Cup squad, he has shown enough to prove his worth in the Eagles shirt.
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Dike, Echiejile ready for Azzurri
•Kanu, Oliseh hail Eagles’ World Cup spot
Toronto FC striker, Bright Dike and S.C. Braga defender, Elderson Echiejile have expressed their readiness for tonight’s international friendly against Italy.
The Super Eagles duo were part of the Nigeria team that defeated the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia 2-0 on a 4-1 aggregate on Saturday, to book their place in next year’s edition of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. While Echiejile was in action for the full 90 minutes against the Ethiopians, Dike was on unused sub.
However, both players who are expected to be on parade against the Azzurri tonight at the Craven Cottage, expressed confidence ahead of the game via their Twitter handles.
“Congrats Nigeria! We are off to the World Cup in the great home of football Brazil. #SuperEagles: Thank you all for your support, we made it together. #Brazil2014WorldCup.
“Just arrived in London ahead of Monday night’s friendly vs Italy#SuperEagles #Nigeria #2014wcq” twitted Echiejile.
Dike is however optimistic of playing today’s game after failing to feature against the Ethiopians.
“We have beaten Ethiopia and now Nigeria has booked its place at the World Cup in Brazil!
“Enjoying London, ready to play against Italy tomorrow”, he said.
Meanwhile, ex-internationals, Sunday Oliseh and Kanu Nwankwo have hailed Super Eagles’ qualification to the 2014 World Cup.
Former Super Eagles captain, Oliseh said Nigeria’s qualification to the World Cup has capped a glorious year for the country.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s qualification to Brazil seals a glorious year for Nigeria’s football. Time to claim respect?” he twitted.
Kanu, however, commended various stakeholders for the support given to the Super Eagles.
“We thank President Jonathan, Your Excellency, Cross River Governor Imoke, Minister of Sports Bolaji, NFF President Maigari, all our fans and all Nigerians.
“Thanks for all your support. It’s been a long journey but we made it to Brazil, we thank God. Coaches and players thank you all. We appreciate”, he said.
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Ethiopia, Italy ties:
Dike replaces Nwofor
Super Eagles’ Head Coach,Stephen Keshi has made one change in his squad for the double-header against Ethiopia and Italy.
The solitary change is coming upfront as the Big Boss replaced SC Heerenveen of Netherlands’ striker Uche Nwofor, with power-playing Bright Dike of Toronto FC of Canada in his squad to face Ethiopia and Italy in the next eight days.
Dike,who was brought into the squad only last year and scored a fabulous goal in a high-profile friendly against Catalonia in Barcelona in January, missed the cut for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations that Nigeria won in South Africa.
“We are bringing him into the squad because we know what he is capable of doing and we believe he is fully fit to deliver, Coach Keshi said.
The Super Eagles lead the Ethiopians 2-1 from the first leg and are expected to conclude the assignment successfully at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, to bag one of Africa’s five tickets to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
Two days later, the Eagles take on four-time world champions Italy at the Craven Cottage ground of England Premiership club, Fulham FC, in London, in a high-profile friendly match.
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Dike suffers painful loss
Super Eagles striker Bright Dike got a little over an hour of action as his MLS side Toronto FC couldn’t replicate last week’s dominating four-goal performance but instead, the team conceded a stoppage-time goal in Saturday night’s 1-0 loss to the playoff hopeful Philadelphia Union.
It was a familiar story for Ryan Nelsen’s team, which defended well and created scoring chances for the full 90 minutes.
The late goal, scored on a Kleberson free kick, sent Toronto home empty-handed after the Reds played with a man advantage for the final 15 minutes of the game.
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Dike sets comeback date
Nigeria striker Bright Dike says he hopes to be back in action by this month’s end after a long-term knee injury.
“Everything is fine with me. I will start playing matches at the end of the month,” Dike revealed to MTNFootball.com
“I have been training with the squad for four weeks now, I am okay. I am just happy to be back and ready to get back into the good form I was in before I got injured, even better.”
The Portland Timbers striker suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a pre-season game against Seattle Sounders on February 5. Dike has scored five goals in 12 appearances for Portland Timbers.
He hit the limelight after he scored a fantastic goal for Nigeria in a friendly against Catalonia leading up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, but did not make the final squad for the tournament.
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Dike’s fate still shaky
He has one match to go —Nasarawa boss
Time appears to be ticking away for vastly experienced technical adviser of Premier League side, Nasarawa United, Alphonsus Dike following a string of poor results that has placed the Lafia-based outfit at the bottom of the log.
Already, the former Enyimba gaffer whose relationship with fans of the Solid Miners had been anything but cordial had been given a two-match ultimatum by the management of the club to determine his future with the 2006 Premier League runners up.
The ultimatum started with last Wednesday’s game at the Kaduna Township Stadium which Nasarawa lost 2-1 to the home side, Kaduna United to further cast a huge doubt on the coach who took over the mantle of the club at the beginning of the present season.
On Sunday,when he is expected to lead the squad against a Kwara United side that shocked Heartland at the Dan Anyiam Stadium last weekend, Dike needs no soothsayer to tell him that only a victory can guarantee his job.
However, chairman of the club, Isaac Danladi has played down on the ultimatum his management has given the embattled coach, stressing that he has chosen to reserve his comment until the game against Kwara United is played.
“It is true we gave Dike a two-match ultimatum because the management could not just fold it arms and allow things to get out of hand, but at the moment, we cannot review his performance until after the game against Kwara United,” Danladi told SportingLife from his Lafia base.
But despite the unimpressive outings the club have recorded under the tutelage of the present technical crew, one thing that has gladdened the heart of the chairman is the fact that the strikers have started scoring which was a source of worry for the club.
“Before now, it was difficult for our strikers to score goals even at home matches. But in Kaduna,we were delighted that the team got a goal even though we still went ahead to lose 2-1 to Kaduna United
“Of course, everybody knows that the transfer window has closed and we cannot recruit any striker at the moment, which means that we have to continue to tell the technical crew of the need to bring out the best from the crop of strikers we have in the squad.”
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Dike relishing chance against Sunshine
Nasarawa United coach, Alphonsus Dike has said his side have a bright chance against Sunshine Stars in the Federation Cup round of 16.
The matches are expected to come up on Wednesday, July 24 at yet to be decided venues.
The Lafia-based side were ruthless in the round of 32 beating hapless Nigeria National League (NNL) side, COD United by four unreplied goals while the Akure Gunners sweated to edge Nembe City 2-1 at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba.
Dike said all the 16 qualifiers stand equal chances of grabbing the ticket to advance to the last eight of the competition.
“Every team have a chance of undoing their opponents at this stage of the competition, so we have a chance as well as Sunshine Stars.
“Everybody knows from the present stage of the competition till the last game that it won’t be easy and there will not be anything like cheap opponents.
“Every team is tough as well as being potential champions and any team dreaming of becoming the champions must gird their loins to play the best.
“We want to be champions and are ever ready to confront any side en route to achieving our ambition. So, I’m very optimistic to pick good result against Sunshine Stars that will see us advance to the quarterfinals,” said the former Enugu Rangers coach to supersport.com.
Nasarawa United will play hosts to Enyimba in the Glo Premier League Matchday 22 in Lafia this weekend and Dike said the encounter would be a dress rehearsal for the Federation Cup clash on Wednesday against Sunshine Stars.
“Enyimba are a big side and good challenge to boost our confidence heading into the Federation Cup encounter against Sunshine Stars.
“We’re trying our best to pull a decent result in the game to improve on our position on the log,” he said.
The Glo Premier League newcomers are 14th on the 20-team elite league log on 28 points from a possible 63.