PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that forward Bright Dike has been called into camp with the Nigeria National Team for a friendly against Venezuela on Wednesday in Miami, Fla. It is his first national team call-up at any level.
WATCH: Dike finishes off the break against Rapids
Dike, whose parents were born in Nigeria, will join the Nigeria National Team on Sunday in preparation for the friendly. Nigeria will play Venezuela at Marlins Park on Wednesday; kickoff is set for 5:05 p.m. (Pacific).
Nigeria is one of 16 countries that have qualified for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which begins in January.
Dike, 25, finished his second MLS season as one of the Timbers’ leading scorers, recording five goals in 12 games over the final half of the 2012 campaign. Additionally, he tallied five goals in five appearances with the Timbers Reserves and recorded six goals and two assists during a two-month loan spell with the L.A. Blues of USL PRO last season.
A native of Edmond, Okla., Dike has compiled six goals in 23 matches over his first two MLS seasons with the Timbers.
