-Most successful foreign coach in Super Eagles' history celebrates 81st birthday in style

- Clemens Westerhof was appointed Super Eagles coach back in 1989 by the then NFA.

- The Dutchman led Nigeria to win AFCON in 1994 and also to their first World Cup appearance

- Fans have taken to social media to celebrate with the icon on his 81st birthday

Nigeria’s most successful coach, Clemens Westerhof, clocked 81 on Monday, May 3, and received a grand celebration following his remarkable achievements in the game of football.

He was employed by Nigerian authorities to become the national football team coach in 1989 shortly after the team failed to qualify for the 1990 World Cup at the expense of Cameroon.

The Dutchman was handed the task of rebuilding the team and the impact was felt instantly as he guided Nigeria to the final of the 1990 AFCON before losing to hosts Algeria in the final.

He coached the Super Eagles to their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 1994 helping the team to reach the second round of the tournament before losing out to eventual runners-up, Italy.

Earlier that year, he tutored Nigeria to win her second AFCON title after the team defeated Zambia 2-1 in the finals hosted by Tunisia.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.

As he celebrates his 81st birthday, fans and lovers have taken to social media to celebrate him as a hero.
Former Nigerian goalkeeper Peterside Idah thanked the coach for handing him his debut with the senior national team.He wrote: “Happy 81st birthday to my coach Clemens Westerhof. (He) gave me my first invitation to the national team.”

A fan then wrote: “Happy Birthday to a great coach. You made us proud!"

Another added: “He looks so different here. I understand he is 81 and looks changed."

Legit.ng earlier reported that Former Super Eagles coach Jo Bonfrere was seen alongside ex-Super Eagles stars in a pose with the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

It was gathered that the governor found the back of the net from the penalty spot in an organized game involving the Kogi State Executive council team and the ex-Super Eagles team.

The encounter which was played at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja ended 1-1.

It featured the likes of Austin Okocha, Peter Rufai, Kanu Nwankwo, Tarribo West, Tijani Babangida, Mutiu Adepoju and a host of all ex-internationals who all featured in the star-studded game.

https://www.legit.ng/amp/1414384-most-successful-foreign-coach-super-eagles-history-celebrates-81st-birthday-style.html?__twitter_impression=true

Idah Pee wrote:

Happy 81st birthday to my coach clemency westerhof.gave me my first invitation to the national team .

https://mobile.twitter.com/IdahPeterside/status/1389325538280550408

Many hearty HBD sir! I respect Clemens Westerhof a lots.His decision to camp the Eagles in Papendal-Holland for intensive training prior to the USA 1994 world cup was a wise one.

This is because it simply helped the Tunisia-94 nation's cup-winning eagles champions to blend into a formidable team that knocked off the world football powers like Bulgaria, Greece in our first outing @ the world stage.Nigeria was not just lucky enough with the second round game against Italy

Naptu2-you are a versatile living encyclopedia.Kindly help with more details.Thanks in anticipation sir

God bless Clemens Westerhof

Dude made Nigerians happy. The good old united days, when Nigerians will be glued to the TV on a match day

Dude discovered unmatchable talents that till date, we have failed to discover such natural talents.

Once again, God bless Clemens Westerhof

Happy birthday

Happy birthday Clemens

happy birthday sir...give me memories of those good old days but the late Stephen keshi is still my best Nigeria coach ever..

Racoon:
I respect Clemens Westerhof a lots.His decision to camp the Eagles in Papendal-Holland for intensive training prior to the USA 1994 world cup was a wise decision.

This is because it simply helped the Tunisia-94 nation's cup-winning eagles champions to blend to a formidable team that knocked off the world football powers like Bulgaria, Greece @ our first outing @ the world stage.Nigeria was not just lucky enough with the second round game against Italy

av heard so many pundits speaks highly about him but its just too bad dt i didnt watch him dt much coaching Nigeria....I mean dt time I was more of a child watching football for d fun of it and i knew nothing about tactics and the key analysis of coaching but I knew he did great works for team Nigeria because whenever foreign coaches are mentioned, he and bonfre jo do tops d list..

He has changed so much. I remember how unhappy he looked in that AFCON '94 finals and when I asked my dad why, he shrugged and said 'Nigeria'.

Even people wey them never born then go come dey form say them Sabi the man and him tactics then

The GOAT

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Happy birthday sir. More Life

And some of our boyz in those days still de claim 40yrs & 45yrs....,
the thing wen de pain past be say..., those our old men of those days days still de do dreadlock & wear earing

This is one is part of the fathers of corruption in Nigeria Football, Bribe and be selected to play. If you know you know

hbd Sir.

Happy birthday to the legend. May he live long in good health. Amen

Happy birthday to our hero.

I thought they said he had HIV. Look at him looking very healthy at 80 while those who might have stigmatized him won't get beyond 60

Racoon:
I respect Clemens Westerhof a lots.His decision to camp the Eagles in Papendal-Holland for intensive training prior to the USA 1994 world cup was a wise decision.

This is because it simply helped the Tunisia-94 nation's cup-winning eagles champions to blend to a formidable team that knocked off the world football powers like Bulgaria, Greece @ our first outing @ the world stage.Nigeria was not just lucky enough with the second round game against Italy

What is diswan talking about...so Bulgaria and Greece are your definition of world football powers....the likes of Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Holland are terrestrial football powers then.

His ex girlfriend came out 6yers ago to say he infected her with HIV. He too came out to say yea "I have hiv but I infected no one "
Medcine has really helped humanity . With the right Antiretroviral hiv treatment drugs , you can live to 100yrs with hiv in your blood.
Happy birthday sir

Racoon:
I respect Clemens Westerhof a lots.His decision to camp the Eagles in Papendal-Holland for intensive training prior to the USA 1994 world cup was a wise decision.

This is because it simply helped the Tunisia-94 nation's cup-winning eagles champions to blend to a formidable team that knocked off the world football powers like Bulgaria, Greece @ our first outing @ the world stage.Nigeria was not just lucky enough with the second round game against Italy

AllenSpencer:
God bless Clemens Westerhof

Dude made Nigerians happy. The good old united days, when Nigerians will be glued to the TV on a match day

Dude discovered unmatchable talents that till date, we have failed to discover such natural talents.

Once again, God bless Clemens Westerhof

True that, although back then the Press too sometimes went after him too much.

He aged gracefully

Amateur

Best Nigerian football coach of all times... Happy Birthday Clemens!

Coach. Happy Birthday!

BruncleZuma:
The GOAT

[img]https://media1./images/f986a659c5e02273fb1943ff088d31a1/tenor.gif[/img]

come carry ur wahala shè-goat from here as una club don spoil so many of my ticket....if we get any better president for nigeria, i go show-am my ticket & wetin una club don do people like me

Fibonacci88:
I thought they said he had HIV. Look at him looking very healthy at 80 while those who might have stigmatized him won't get beyond 60

Drug treatment for HIV has imporved over the last 20 years.

No cure yet, but we have better regimens and better classes of drugs. And for most people they are free.

Ishilove:
He has changed so much. I remember how unhappy he looked in that AFCON '94 finals and when I asked my dad why, he shrugged and said 'Nigeria'.

Wow!! You watched AFCON Finals with ur Dad in 1994??

Meaning, You be Senior Sist!!..

We supposed to dey Butu (Greet in Urhobo language) for you oo..

onomeabuja:

come carry ur wahala shè-goat from here as una club don spoil so many of my ticket....if we get any better president for nigeria, i go show-am my ticket & wetin una club don do people like me

[img]https://media1./images/4ff1707fe64be930f777e68cfca667ab/tenor.gif[/img]