Bright Dike acted just like any other supporter at
the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
Canada 2014 between Germany and Nigeria on
Sunday, continually rising from his seat, shouting
and occasionally holding his head with hands
whenever a chance went begging. The occasion
proved an especially nerve-racking one for the
Toronto FC and Nigeria striker, not least because
his sister Courtney was out on the pitch. Having
played for his club side against Chicago Fire the
day before, Bright was full of expectation after
making the trip to Montreal to see his sibling in
action.
“It’s a different experience to be looking on as a
spectator and it makes me more nervous than
playing. I’ve got every confidence in her,
though,” he told FIFA.com, with whom he
chatted during the game. “She’s done a great
job and the whole family is very proud of her.”
In the end, however, the Nigerians came off
second best, just as they had done in the final
against the same opposition four years earlier.
For Courtney Dike there was at least the
consolation of a loser’s medal, not to mention the
satisfaction of knowing that she had scored the
tournament’s fastest ever goal in setting her side
on the road to victory against Korea Republic in
the group phase.
As he explained, Bright has been giving her tips
throughout the tournament, a factor in the
Super Falconets’ impressive run perhaps: “I’ve
watched all their games online and I’ve spoken
to her before and after games. I tell her what
she’s doing right and what she’s doing wrong
and where she needs to work more. She’s a good
player and she’s taken my advice on board too.”
Born in the USA to Nigerian parents, Courtney,
Bright and their other siblings are all strikers, and
though the Toronto front man is the only
member of the Dike family playing the game
professionally at the moment, he believes his
sister has a big future ahead of her.
“She’s a very clever striker,” he explained. “She’s
a good runner and she looks to get in behind the
defence. She also moves well between the lines,
which is one of the best attributes you can have.
She’s a lot like me, I think. We have a very
similar style.”
A platform for the future
The Toronto forward said he believed playing for
Nigeria at Canada 2014 has been an enriching
experience for Courtney and will only help her in
her career: “The family has been to Nigeria a
couple of times and we know the culture of the
country through our parents. This has all been a
fantastic experience for her, though. She’s
settled in well in the team, made new friends and
had a lot of fun.”
While her team-mates are now preparing to go
back to Nigeria, Courtney will be making the trip
straight back to the University of Oklahoma to
continue her business studies.
“She won’t be having her holidays just yet. She’s
got to get back down to work,” said Bright with a
laugh.
Given the success she has enjoyed in the last few
weeks, Courtney will no doubt be keen to return
to Nigeria duty in the future, and as Bright
pointed out, she will only be stronger for her at
Canada 2014 adventure.
“I’m sure she’s going to remember this World
Cup for the rest of her life,” said a proud Bright.
“It’s been fantastic for her and she’s only going
to take positive things from it. It’s also helped
her to grow as a player.”
Though her day ended in dejection, a hug and a
few consolatory words from her big brother will
have put a smile back on Courtney’s face.

Oh wow, this is beautiful. She looks innocent.

Pls how can I get this girl?

seriously? ? I never knew they were siblings!

proud brother

This guy should have been playing American football

`For those of you that want the girl, check out big bro... He's someone you don't wanna mess with.
He can send you to your early grave if you try anything funny with his lil sis with a well-timed upper cut.

What of tonto dike, is she nt a member of dike's family?