Clemens Westerhof, the Dutch coach who led Nigeria’s Super Eagles to their first-ever World Cup appearance in 1994, has endorsed former Super Eagle coach, Samson Siasia as next coach that will bring the World Cup to Nigeria.
Werterhoff who reflected on his time in Nigeria, describing it as his “greatest memory”, said that Siasia has the capacity to handle the Super Eagles very well and bring the World Cup home.
Speaking in an exclusive video obtained by Daily Sun, the veteran coach who met his former player Samson Siasia in his hometown of Arnheim, Netherlands, expressed delight over the reunion facilitated by Nigerian-Netherlands based environmental rights activist, Comrade Sunny Ofehe.
Westerhof who led the Super Eagles to the 1990 African Nations Cup final and qualified the team for the 1994 World Cup, expressed his desire to visit Nigeria again and potentially live there until his passing, stating, “Nigeria is dear to my heart.”
Westerhof, now 84, expressed his joy at reconnecting with Siasia, who also went on to coach the Super Eagles.
He predicted Siasia as the next Super Eagle coach that will bring the World Cup to Nigeria.
In his brief remarks, Siasia said that he’s willing to return as Super Eagles coach if the negotiation were right, ‘I am very willing so long the negotiations are right”, he said.
He expressed joy for meeting his mentor after a while, saying that he will cherish the endorsement.
The member representing Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State in the Nigerian House of Representatives, Hon. Rodney Ambaoiwe, who was also at Westerhoff’s home, pledged to move a motion to officially invite Westerhof to Nigeria and to the hollow chamber where he would be giving a standing recognition and ovation.
Speaking, Ofehe, said that it was great joy for him to have reconnected Samson Siasia with Westerhoff, saying, “I derive greater joy from connecting people from my connections to people for a joyful, spirited, mutual and trustworthy relationship.
Paying glowing tribute to Westerhoff, Ofehe recalled how the Dutchman brought Nigeria to the finals of Algiers 1990 Nations cup and lost to host Algeria in the final.
he said: “This was after narrowly missing qualification for Italian 90 World Cup, when we lost to Cameroon in Yaounde when we needed a draw.
“He eventually qualified Nigeria for her first ever World Cup USA 1994.
“He assembled Nigerian Super Eagle best team in history and shocked the world with a sterling performance in Nigeria’s inaugural world cup appearance.
“He gave not just Nigeria football international exposure but also made sure that Nigerian players bring out the best of themselves.
“He gave Nigeria Finidi George, Daniel Amokachie, Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Benedict Iroha and my own brother and friend Samson Siasia.
“Coach Westerhof is now 84 year old and what a privilege to now create the platform to connect him with his former player Samson Siasia who also went on to coach the Nigerian Super Eagles, in his home Dutch town of Arnhem. Siasia is fresh out of his FIFA ban!
“My good friend and Honorable Member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Hon. Rodney Ambaoiwe from Bayelsa defied his short time to leave The Netherlands and follow us to see the man he admitted deserve all accolades and recognition.
“He promised to move a motion on the floor of the hallow chamber for Coach Clemens Westerhof to get a standing recognition and ovation.
“This has been my personal wish for a man still alive now and who has told me many times that Nigeria is dear to his heart!
He said “My Nigerian career remains my greatest memory today.”.
“He concluded by saying, he would love to visit Nigeria again as his last wish and possibly live with us until he is called to glory. Let’s celebrate this man!”
Recalls that Siasia had just completed a five-year FIFA ban for match-fixing allegations. The ban, initially lifetime, was reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in 2019.
Siasia, a renowned player and coach, was implicated in a match-fixing scheme in 2010. Although he didn’t actively participate, CAS stressed the need for punishment as a deterrent.
With the ban lifted, Siasia’s next move is uncertain but rumours suggest he may become the next Super Eagles coach.
