Former Super Eagles head coach Clemens Westerhof is in critical condition after being diagnosed with colon cancer in the Netherlands.
According to Vanguard on Saturday, his wife, Lilian, confirmed the development to the newspaper’s Saturday Editor, Onochie Anibeze, on Friday night. She said the 86-year-old was receiving treatment at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, his hometown.
“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 disclosed that Westerhof was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, describing the diagnosis as another setback in his ongoing health struggles, Vanguard reported.
The Dutch football tactician had previously been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
His wife also raised concerns about the medical care he was receiving, expressing hope that he could be moved to a better-equipped hospital in Amsterdam or Germany.
“They appear to have given up. I don’t understand,” she said.
Westerhof, who celebrated his 86th birthday in May, remains a significant figure in Nigerian football history because of his achievements with the Super Eagles.
He guided Nigeria to its first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification in 1994 and led the team to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia that same year.
Under his leadership, Nigeria finished as runners-up at the 1990 AFCON before securing third place in the 1992 edition.
The Super Eagles also climbed to fifth in the FIFA world rankings during his tenure, a landmark achievement for Nigerian and African football.
