Ex-Super Eagles Coach Westerhof Battles Colon Cancer in Critical Condition, Wife Seeks Help

Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is reportedly in critical condition at a hospital in the Netherlands, prompting his wife to appeal for prayers and assistance.

Westerhof, 86, is receiving treatment at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, his hometown, according to his wife, Lilian, who disclosed the development in an interview with Vanguard’s Saturday Editor, Onochie Anibeze.

Lilian said doctors informed the family of the cancer diagnosis after Westerhof was taken to the hospital on Wednesday. She described the news as devastating and expressed concern about his condition.

“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.

The diagnosis comes as the former Nigerian national team coach continues to face other health challenges. According to his wife, Westerhof had previously been battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Lilian also expressed concern about the care her husband was receiving at the Arnhem hospital, saying she hoped to transfer him to a better-equipped medical facility in Amsterdam or Germany.

“They appear to have given up. I don’t understand,” she said, describing her concerns about his treatment.

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Westerhof remains one of the most influential coaches in the history of Nigerian football, having led the Super Eagles through a celebrated period in the early 1990s.

The Dutch tactician took charge of Nigeria’s national team in 1989 and helped build a squad that became one of Africa’s most prominent sides. Under his leadership, Nigeria finished second at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Algeria and won bronze at the 1992 tournament in Senegal.

His greatest achievement with the team came in 1994, when Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia. That same year, he guided the Super Eagles to qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup, held in the United States.

Nigeria reached the round of 16 at the World Cup before being eliminated by Italy after extra time. The team’s performances during Westerhof’s tenure also helped it rise to fifth in the FIFA world rankings, a landmark achievement for Nigerian and African football.

His contribution to the development of the Super Eagles earned him a lasting place in the country’s football history, with many fans remembering the team’s attacking style and the emergence of several players who became household names.

News of Westerhof’s diagnosis is likely to concern Nigerian football supporters who remember his role in the national team’s successes during the 1990s.

As the former coach receives treatment in the Netherlands, his family is seeking support and prayers while expressing hope that he can access the care they believe he needs.