Clemens Westerhof

Nigerian national team

In late 1989, Westerhof was signed by the Nigerian Football Association to coach the national team. After the team failed to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup by failing to get at least a draw away to Cameroon on the last day of qualifying, Westerhof set about rebuilding the team. His effect was immediate, as Nigeria reached the final of the 1990 African Cup of Nations where they lost 1–0 to the host nation Algeria. In the lead-up to the 1992 African Cup of Nations, the Nigerian team which had adopted the nickname "Super Eagles" since losing controversially to Cameroon in the 1988 African Cup of Nations final match tried to justify the tag thanks to their recent winning run under Westerhof. They placed third at that tournament, losing to archrivals Ghana in the semi-final.

1994 World Cup

In 1992, Nigeria began its quest to qualify for its first-ever FIFA World Cup, which would be held in the United States two years later. Placed in a group with South Africa and Congo, Nigeria finished top of its group in the first round, winning 3 games and drawing 1, and did not concede a single goal in all 4 games. For the second and final round, Nigeria was grouped with Côte d'Ivoire and Algeria. The Super Eagles won 2 games, drew 1 and lost 1, and finished equal with Côte d'Ivoire on points but advanced to the World Cup with a superior goal difference.

Nigeria entered the 1994 World Cup in Group D with Argentina, Bulgaria and Greece. Despite losing 2–1 to Argentina, wins over Bulgaria and Greece allowed the Super Eagles to do the unthinkable and finish top of the group, advancing to the second round.

Westerhof's side faced Italy in the second round. A first-half goal by Emmanuel Amuneke gave Nigeria a 1–0 lead at half-time, and they appeared to be heading for an upset win when Roberto Baggio scored to tie the game just 2 minutes from the final whistle. Baggio scored again from a penalty kick, 10 minutes into extra time, giving Italy a 2–1 win and knocking Nigeria out of the tournament.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Super Eagles' World Cup campaign was considered a tremendous success, and Westerhof and the players were hailed as heroes on their return to Nigeria.

1994 African Cup of Nations

Between the qualifying and the final round of the 1994 World Cup, Nigeria qualified for and competed in the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia. After finishing top of their qualifying group (which also featured Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia), Nigeria advanced to the final round where they were placed in Group B with Egypt and Gabon. They drew with Egypt and beat Gabon to advance to the quarter-finals where they beat Zaire.

A penalty shootout win over Côte d'Ivoire in the semi-finals set up a final match against Zambia, which they won 2–1. It was Nigeria's second African Cup of Nations championship, the first since 1980, and the first trophy in Westerhof's career as a manager.

Legacy

Westerhof is credited with turning Nigeria into a perennial powerhouse in African football and showing that they, and other African nations, can compete on the world stage. He is responsible for what could be described as a "golden" period in Nigerian football. Players such as Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Nwankwo Kanu, Rashidi Yekini, Daniel Amokachi and others, who all went on to successful careers with various high-profile European clubs, entered the world spotlight while playing under Westerhof.

Criticism from players

Following a 2–1 defeat by Italy at the 1994 FIFA World Cup which eliminated Nigeria from the tournament, striker Rashidi Yekini was critical of both Westerhof and his teammates, telling reporters:

Finidi George and Emmanuel Amuneke were two other Nigerian international players reported to have fallen out of favour with Westerhof; both players were dropped from the team by Westerhof at different points during his tenure as manager, only for the players to be subsequently reinstated in the team following the Nigerian Football Association's decision to overrule Westerhof.

South African Football Association

Westerhof sued the South African Football Association in 2000 over an alleged breach of contract, claiming they had picked him to coach that country's national team. He was eventually passed over for the position, however, and it was given to Carlos Queiroz. The dispute was settled out-of-court, with Westerhof receiving less than the originally reported R1 million (approx. US$150,000).

Divorce

Westerhof was married to Zimbabwean model Tendayi Westerhof (née Katekete); however, their marriage ended in a much-publicised divorce in 2002 in her home country that resulted in his being forced to leave to South Africa as his work permit had expired in Zimbabwe. She told the Financial Gazette newspaper that, "I have four children with three men... and not four" and that her ex-husband had not paid a "single cent" towards the support of their daughter, Aaliyah Nyashadzashe. Tendayi also went public with her HIV positive status, blaming Westerhof for it, allegations which he denied.

Return to Nigeria

Most recently, Westerhof has returned to Nigeria to serve as rector and chief administrator at the Football School of Excellence in the city of Ilorin, a college which helps develop young players in that country.

In 2005, as Nigeria's national team searched for a manager to help them qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany (a campaign which ultimately failed), Westerhof was named as one of the candidates for the job. He quickly ruled himself out of the race, saying, "My hands are full... I have given my words to [School of Excellence CEO] Kojo Williams on the School of Excellence Academy. I am a man of my words and I stick with that academy."

Quotes