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Former Super Eagles head coach Clemens Westerhof has been hospitalised in the Netherlands after being diagnosed with colon cancer, with his wife, Lillian Westerhof, appealing for prayers and support as the veteran coach battles the illness.
Lillian disclosed the development in an Instagram post on Saturday, revealing that the 85-year-old former Nigeria coach is in critical condition. She said Westerhof’s health had deteriorated but noted that he remained determined to survive.
According to Vanguard Newspaper, Westerhof is currently receiving treatment at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, his hometown in the Netherlands. He was taken to the facility on Wednesday after his condition worsened.
The family is reportedly considering moving him to another medical facility in Amsterdam or Germany in search of further treatment as they continue to monitor his condition.
“The doctor just told us he has colon cancer and we are all devastated,” Lillian said.
“He is in a critical condition and emotional, talking about our two daughters.
“He wants to live. We need help. We need prayers.”
The appeal has drawn attention to the former coach’s latest health battle, coming after several medical challenges he has faced over the years.
Westerhof has reportedly lived with Alzheimer’s Disease for a prolonged period. In 2022, he also suffered a serious fall that resulted in a waist dislocation.
Despite those challenges, his contribution to Nigerian football remains a major part of his legacy, particularly his successful period in charge of the Super Eagles.
Westerhof managed Nigeria’s senior national team from 1989 to 1994 and became one of the most influential foreign coaches in the history of Nigerian football.
His tenure coincided with one of the most successful periods for the national team, culminating in Nigeria’s victory at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
The triumph marked a significant achievement for the Super Eagles and further established Westerhof’s place in the history of Nigerian football.
Under his leadership, Nigeria also qualified for the country’s first FIFA World Cup appearance in 1994. The qualification represented another major milestone for the national team and provided the platform for the Super Eagles to make their debut at football’s biggest international tournament.
The team’s performance under Westerhof also contributed to Nigeria’s rise in the global football rankings. The Super Eagles reached fifth place in the FIFA world rankings during his tenure, a position that remains Nigeria’s highest-ever ranking.
That fifth-place position also stands as an African record that has yet to be surpassed, further highlighting the impact of the period in which Westerhof guided the national team.
His time with Nigeria helped establish a generation of players and a team that attracted significant attention both within Africa and internationally. The achievements of the Super Eagles during the early 1990s remain an important chapter in the country’s football history.
Now, years after leaving the national team, Westerhof is facing another serious health challenge. His wife’s account has provided an update on his condition and the family’s efforts to seek further medical care.
The possibility of transferring him to another hospital in Amsterdam or Germany reflects the family’s search for additional treatment options as his condition remains critical.
Lillian’s appeal has also placed emphasis on the emotional strain surrounding the situation, particularly as Westerhof has been speaking about their two daughters while receiving treatment.
Her request for prayers and assistance comes as the family continues to hope for his recovery.
For Nigerian football followers, Westerhof remains closely associated with one of the most celebrated eras of the Super Eagles. His achievements with the national team, including the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and Nigeria’s historic World Cup qualification, have secured his place in the country’s football history.
As he receives treatment in the Netherlands, his family is seeking support while hoping that the veteran coach can overcome his latest health battle.
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#SuperEagles
#NigerianFootball
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