By Onochie Anibeze
Arguably, Nigeria’s best coach ever, Clemens Westerhof turns 82 today. The past one year has been tough for the Dutchgerian, as he is fondly called.
He went through waist surgery after missing his step and falling on the staircase. He also suffered serious Covid-19 attack that sent him to the intensive care. But the merciful God kept him alive and he is 82 today.
Join me in celebrating this great man who turned our football around, selecting players from the local league and even insisting to foreign clubs that any player who played for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in his time did not need trial to play for any club.
He believed that wearing Nigerian Jersey under him was enough qualification to play for any club. He meant it because he trained them well and only the best wore the Nigerian colours.
Hebert Anijekwu of Enugu Rangers, after featuring in the 1990 Nations Cup, went for trial in a Belgian club. That ended his days in Eagles under Westerhof.
He loved Nigeria and gave it his all as our coach. He still loves Nigeria. May God grant him many more years in good health. Amen.
