Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko offered some insight Thursday into Bright Dike’s injury situation in an interview posted to the club’s YouTube channel.
And while he didn’t offer specifics, he did confirm that the big striker, pushing to make the Nigerian international team’s World Cup roster, suffered a “long-term” injury in a training session Monday in Orlando, Fla.
“Exceptional person, and it’s really tough to see him go down with an injury,” Bezbatchenko said in the video.
All the signs pointed toward yet another major setback for Dike.
Ives Galarcep reported on Goal.com Monday that the Nigerian international tore his Achilles tendon, which would be the second such injury in the last three years.
Dike tore his Achilles while a member of the Portland Timbers during the 2011 preseason, but recovered and made his MLS debut in August 2011. The striker also tore his ACL during the 2013 preseason with Portland, and was sidelined until September, making his TFC debut after being traded from the Timbers that month.
Dike himself sent out an ominous tweet.
He also tweeted after undergoing surgery Wednesday.
The injury will almost surely halt Dike's aspirations of making the Nigerian squad for the World Cup. After receiving a call-up in November for a friendly against Italy, the forward raised his stock by scoring in a 2-2 draw. Last week, he was selected by Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi for a friendly against Mexico on March 5.
“Tough one for the team and a tough one for Bright, for sure,” Bezbatchenko said.
