Clemens Westerhof, the former head coach of Nigeria’s senior national football team, the Super Eagles, has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is reportedly in critical condition at a hospital in the Netherlands.
Gatekeepers News reportd that Westerhof’s wife, Lilian, confirmed the diagnosis and appealed for prayers and support as the family grapples with the development.
The 86-year-old Dutch tactician is receiving treatment at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, his hometown in the Netherlands. Reports indicate that he was taken to the hospital on Wednesday, October 14, following concerns about his health.
Speaking about the development, Lilian expressed shock over the diagnosis and concern about her husband’s condition.
She added that her husband was in critical condition but remained determined to live, appealing for assistance and prayers for the family during the difficult period.
Lilian also reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the medical care her husband was receiving and indicated that the family was considering transferring him to another hospital in Amsterdam or Germany to explore further treatment options.
The latest diagnosis comes amid Westerhof’s longstanding battle with Alzheimer’s disease, which has added to his health challenges.
Westerhof remains one of the most influential coaches in Nigerian football history. He managed the Super Eagles from 1989 to 1994, overseeing a period widely regarded as a defining era for the national team.
Under his leadership, Nigeria won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia, ending a 14-year wait for the continental title. He also guided the country to its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in the United States in 1994.
At the tournament, Nigeria reached the round of 16 after finishing top of a group that included Argentina, Bulgaria and Greece, before losing 2–1 to Italy after extra time.
Westerhof also led Nigeria to the AFCON silver medal in 1990 and bronze in 1992. During his tenure, the Super Eagles rose to fifth in the FIFA world rankings, a historic achievement for Nigerian football.
His contribution to the development of the national team and the emergence of a generation of celebrated Nigerian footballers cemented his place in the country’s sporting history.
