Timbers' Dike called into camp with Nigeria National Team

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that forward Bright Dike has been called into camp with the Nigeria National Team as it prepares for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in January.

One of 32 players called into camp, Dike, 25, is scheduled to join the Super Eagles on Saturday, Dec. 29, in Faro, Portugal. The Nigeria National Team has scheduled friendlies against the Catalonia National Team on Wednesday, Jan. 2 and against Cape Verde on Wednesday, Jan. 9.

Dike, whose parents were born in Nigeria, earns his second call-up with the Nigeria National Team. He earned his first cap for the Super Eagles on Nov. 14, starting in a friendly against Venezuela in Miami, Fla.

Nigeria is one of 16 countries competing in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, which begins Jan. 19 in South Africa. The Super Eagles have been drawn into the tournament’s Group C along with Burkina Faso, Zambia and Ethiopia. Nigeria will finalize a 23-player roster for the tournament.

A native of Edmond, Okla., Dike 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.

Dike has compiled six goals in 23 matches over his first two MLS seasons with the Timbers.