The American-born Nigerian national team striker had high hopes for 2014, both with Toronto FC & World Cup-bound Nigeria, but his year is over after another torn Achilles
Nigeria striker Bright Dike has seen what was shaping up to be a dream 2014 turn into a nightmare after suffering a torn Achilles in training with Toronto FC, sources confirmed to Goal USA on Monday.
The injury comes almost two years after Dike suffered a torn Achilles with the Portland Timbers. He worked his way back from that injury and played well enough to attract the attention of the Nigerian national team. Dike had been expected to play a key role for Toronto FC in 2014, and was a candidate for Nigeria's World Cup team, but the latest injury has put an end to those possibilities for the 27-year-old striker.
Dike showed some flashes with Toronto FC in 2013, but it was his call-up to Nigeria's friendly against Italy on Nov. 18, 2013, which saw him score a goal in a 2-2 draw in London that had TFC looking at him as an important piece to the team's puzzle.
He had been called up to the Super Eagles' squad to face Mexico in an international friendly on March 5 in the United States and was looking good for a place in Stephen Keshi's team to Brazil in the summer.
Dike's injury will put more pressure on Toronto's forward tandem of Jermain Defoe and Gilberto and will leave TFC scrambling for some forward options heading into the 2014 season
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