A one-time Super Eagles head coach, Clemens Westerhof, has been hospitalised in the Netherlands after being diagnosed with colon cancer, amid family appeal for prayers and support as he battles a critical health condition.
His wife, Lillian Westerhof, disclosed the development in an emotional Instagram post on Saturday, describing the situation as devastating for the family and expressing hope that the veteran football tactician would recover.
Westerhof is said to be receiving treatment at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, his hometown in the Netherlands. He was reportedly rushed to the facility on Wednesday following the deterioration of his health.
Lillian said the family is considering transferring him to another medical facility in Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, or Germany in search of more specialised treatment.
“The doctor just told us he has colon cancer and we are all devastated,” she said.
She added that Westerhof was in critical condition and emotionally distressed, particularly as he spoke about his two daughters.
“He wants to live. We need help. We need prayers,” she said, appealing to well-wishers to stand by the family during the difficult period.
In her social media message, Lillian also urged supporters to share the news to reach more people who might be willing to offer assistance.
The latest health challenge comes after Westerhof’s reported long-term battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The former coach also suffered a severe fall and a waist dislocation in 2022.
Westerhof remains one of the most celebrated foreign coaches in Nigerian football history, having led the Super Eagles between 1989 and 1994.
Under his leadership, Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia in 1994, securing the country’s second continental title. He also guided the national team to its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance that same year, when Nigeria competed at the tournament in the United States.
His tenure marked a defining period for Nigerian football, as he helped build a competitive side featuring several talented players who went on to establish themselves on the international stage.
Nigeria also climbed to fifth in the FIFA world rankings during his time in charge, a landmark achievement that remains the country’s highest-ever position and an African record.
Westerhof’s contribution to the development of the Super Eagles earned him lasting recognition among Nigerian football fans, with many crediting him for laying the foundation for the team’s rise to continental prominence and its emergence on the global stage.