How the Dikes captured the world through football.
3 min read
The Dike family in Umuezealal Uba Umuaka, Imo State of Nigeria may have given the football game more professional players than any other family in West Africa.
Below is the roll call of professional footballers from the Dike family.
Bright Chinedu Dike: Bright as he is fondly addressed by close friends and family, is a Nigerian-American international footballer. He was born in the United States. He is the first son of Mr Vincent Dike. Bright has played for Nigeria and a couple of years ago and was able to score the first goal so quick.
From the findings by Umuaka Times, Bright was born in Edmond, Oklahoma and he attended Edmond North High School. “He played college soccer at the University of Notre Dame from 2005 to 2009, redshirting his junior season in 2007. As a senior, he started all 21 games for the Irish, led the team in goals (12) and total points (29), and was named to the all-Big East Championship team. He made his professional debut on April 22, 2010 in a game against AC St. Louis. He represented Nigeria against Italy in 2013 friendly in Craven Cottage.
Courtney Dike: Born in Edmond, Oklahoma, Courtney attended Edmond North High School and plays college soccer at Oklahoma State University. In her four years at Edmond North High School, it is on record that Courtney scored over 90 goals. She is currently studying accounting at Oklahoma State University and plays for the Oklahoma State University women’s soccer team.
From the findings made by Umuaka Times, in 2014, Courtney received a call up to represent the Nigerian U-20 national team for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada where she scored the fastest goal in the history of the competition after just 13 seconds in a match against North Korea. Her performance in the tournament earned her three nominations at the 2014 Nigeria Sports Award.
Courtney went on to represent Nigeria at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. On 12 June 2015, she made history by becoming the first native Oklahoman to ever play in the World Cup.
Courtney set the Nigerian and global media space on “fire” when it was reported in the media that she rejected the bonus given to her for her role in the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She explained in a letter sent to the Nigeria Football Federation that, “I am delighted to play for Nigeria whenever called upon. I knew before leaving for the U-20 World Cup that I would not accept any bonuses. Acceptance of prize money is against NCAA regulations (the division 1 collegiate governing body) here in the US, so that is the main reason for rejecting it.”
Dike Uchechukwu Kenneth: Started his football career in 2000. Groomed at Pepsi Football Academy Lagos. Was the captain of his school FC for 6 years. Called to Nigerian league to play for Iwuanyanwu National via the efforts of an IBC veteran journalist, Ifeanyi Nwariwe. The club got him a deal that took him to India for a football try.
From India, he went to Mali and played for a short period. Came home and went for another try in Europe for an English club. During signing, they refused to take him because he had not played for his country’s national team before. He came home to Nigeria again, held talks with the then technical adviser of Super Eagles Sampson Siasia but the talks could not produce positive results due to the conditions placed on him by Siasia.
He went on again to sign a contract in India and later came back and joined Rangers FC of Enugu where he was being tried. His try at Rangers ended his career as he sustained big injury and was medically advised to quit active football. Today, Uchenna Dike is the coach of Father Eburuaja FC Umuaka and he is doing very well.
Daryl Dike: This is the man of the moment. The 20 year old young Dike has been described as “merciless Dike” at certain quarters by top football observers in the United States., This soccer star, according to one observer, has a lot to offer the world in football entertainment.
His role in the football pitch is to make people happy and sad, depending on where your support lies.
It is also worthy to note here that the world famous football star from Amakor Umuaka, Emmanuel Emenike is a cousin of the Dikes.
