Bright Dike called up to face Ethiopia
Former Portland Timbers forward, Bright Dike is back to reckoning in the Nigeria national team after he was called up as a late replacement for striker, Uche Nwofor.
Nwofor, who is on the books of Eredivisie club, SC Heerenveen, recently got injured and his place will now be taken by Dike who warmed his way into the hearts of Nigerians with a powerful display capped by a wonderful goal in the 1-1 draw against Catalonia in a friendly in January.
Head coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi confirmed that Nwofor was ruled out with an ankle injury expressed confidence in Dike’s ability to fit into the squad.
“We are bringing (Dike) into the squad because we know what he is capable of doing and we believe he is fully fit to deliver,†Keshi said.
Dike is currently on the books of Toronto FC, a side he joined in September in exchange for Maximiliano Urruti.
He scored his first goal for Toronto on September 28, the game-winner in a 4-1 victory over DC United. Dike scored the volley off of a cross by Mark Bloom.
The Super Eagles lead the Ethiopians 2-1 from the first leg and are expected to conclude the assignment successfully at the UJ 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.
Source: supersport.com
