Ex-Super Eagles Coach Westerhof Battles Colon Cancer in Critical Condition

Former Super Eagles head coach Clemens Westerhof has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is in critical condition at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

His wife, Lilian, disclosed this to Vanguard newspaper Saturday Editor, Onochie Anibeze, on Friday night expressing concern over the 86-year-old’s health.

“The doctor just told us he has colon cancer and we are all devastated. He is in a critical condition and emotional, talking about our two daughters. He wants to live. We need help. We need prayers,” she said.

Lilian said Westerhof was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday, adding that the cancer diagnosis was a new development in his health challenges.

The Dutch tactician had reportedly been battling Alzheimer’s disease before the latest diagnosis.

She also expressed concerns about the care he was receiving at the hospital, saying she hoped to transfer him to a better-equipped facility in Amsterdam or Germany.

“They appear to have given up. I don’t understand,” she said.

Westerhof, who turned 86 in May, is widely credited with transforming Nigerian football during his tenure as Super Eagles coach.

He led Nigeria to qualify for its first FIFA World Cup in 1994 and guided the team to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia the same year.

Under his leadership, Nigeria also finished as runners-up at the 1990 AFCON and won bronze in 1992.

The Super Eagles rose to fifth in the FIFA world rankings during his tenure, marking a historic achievement for Nigerian and African football.