Dike Living A Dream In Canada

At just 20-years old, Courtney Dike is already living a dream. The Oklahoma State junior was recently named to the Nigeria women's national team that will compete at this month's FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.

Being selected to the 23-player Super Falcons team by Nigeria coach Edwin Okon puts Dike on soccer's biggest global stage, and it's an opportunity she won't take for granted.

A two-time All-Big 12 Conference forward for head coach Colin Carmichael's Cowgirls, Dike has played in 40 games and recorded 16 goals and seven assists in her OSU career. Last August, she starred for Nigeria's U-20 National Team at the 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, earning a starting spot and scoring a pair of goals to help lead the team to the U-20 World Cup final.

Nigeria is in Group D at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and begins play June 8 against Sweden in Winnipeg. The Super Falcons will also take on Australia (June 12 in Winnipeg) and the United States (June 16 in Vancouver).

Dike took time earlier this week to answer a few questions regarding her selection to Nigeria's World Cup team.

How honored are you to be selected to play for Nigeria in the Women's World Cup?

Courtney Dike: "I am beyond honored to be selected to play for Nigeria. It is literally a dream come true and the highlight of my career, if not my life, thus far."

How long have you dreamed of playing in the World Cup?

CD: "Since watching the World Cup on TV in elementary school, I always dreamed to play, but I never would have thought it would happen this soon. I have worked so hard to get here so I will cherish every moment and do my absolute best."

How much are you looking forward to playing against the top players in the world?

CD: "I am extremely excited to play against the top players in the world. Some of them are actually my teammates so I already know I can play with them, but the challenge of playing against them only excites me. I have confidence coming off of last year's tournament, and the potential of this squad is huge."

What did you learn from playing the U-20 World Cup last year and making the finals?

CD: "I definitely learned last year how important teamwork is, no matter how good of a player any individual is. Talent can only get you so far, but team chemistry for me is the determinant for success, and the Super Falcons have it."

How do you think this experience will help you in your final two seasons at OSU?

CD: "I will have competed in the highest level of soccer possible so there is no doubt it will have an immense impact on me as a player. I have already learned so much just preparing for this. The experience will help me to improve my own game at OSU to help my team, however that may be, toward our goal of winning the Big 12 and making a deep run in NCAA (hopefully by scoring more goals)."

You'll have a pretty big cheering section in Oklahoma – anything you want to say to those fans?

CD: "I just want to say thank you so much to my supporters, friends and family for being my support system, as well as my OSU coaches and teammates for helping me progress both as a player and a person. This would not be possible without so many people so I will play my heart out. More importantly, I thank God for this amazing opportunity. With Him anything is possible."

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