Portland Timber of USA forward Bright Dike has said he is very disappointed to be left out of the Eagles final squad to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Dike, who scored a spectacular goal against Catalonia in only his second cap for Nigeria, told MTNFootball.com he would have hoped to be in South Africa with the Eagles.
"I am disappointed not to make the AFCON final list, but I am thankful for the experience and opportunity, I was hoping to be at the tournament, that's soccer for you," Dike said.
"Now I am looking forward to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the tournament itself."
Dike, who is a cousin of Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike, has thus urged his international team mates to make Nigeria proud at the African soccer fiesta.
"I am urging my mates who made the team to represent Nigeria well. They should play wholeheartedly so that when the games are done, you are proud of the effort you have given and proud of what you have accomplished," said Dike, who made a most satisfying debut against Venezuela in November.
"Good luck in South Africa and bring the Nations Cup back to Nigeria."
The power-playing forward disclosed he will now head back to his base in the USA, where he will join Portland Timbers ahead of the new Major League Soccer pre-season activities.
