Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof is delighted at the prospect of seeing Nigeria confront world football Superpowers, Brazil, in a top grade international friendly, saying it’s a good rebuilding process for the Gernot Rohr’s team after their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, Completesports.om can exclusively report.
Westerhof spoke to Completesports.com from his country home in the Netherlands, saying the game against the Selecao in Singapore on October 13 is such that could help the three time African champions ‘find capable replacements’ for striker Odion Ighalo and captain Mikel Obi who announced their retirement from international football after the AFCON 2019.
“The Super Eagles to play against Brazil? That is very good,” Westerhof told Completesports.com during an exclusive phone chat.
“After the Africa Cup of Nations [in Egypt], playing against Brazil is good for the Super Eagles.
“Yes, it is important you play top teams when you are starting up again [rebuilding] after the Africa Cup of Nations.
“When you play top teams, like Brazil, the Super Eagles will know the balance of the team, how they react after the African Cup.
“Oh, yes, they played against Ukraine, which is good. Now against Brazil, you get a tougher test, the manager knows how the Super Eagles play without Ighalo, without Mikel, and how you look for their replacements.
“When you build a new team, you look at some new players, how they fit into your team, the balance they bring and how. Yes, if they can take the positions of those who left or you want to drop.
“Brazil is a top team, they can give Super Eagles a tough game. And who wins? I don’t know, but I want ‘my Super Eagles’ to win,” Westerhof concluded with a laughter.
The ‘Dutch-Gerian’ arrived Nigeria in 1989, led the Super Eagles to a silver medal feat at Algiers 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, bronze at the Senegal 1992 AFCON and gold medal at Tunisia 1994.
He crowned his five-year reign as Super Eagles coach with a World Cup finals qualification in 1994 in USA where, as debutants, Nigeria reached the Second Round where they lost 2-1 to Italy.
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COMMENTS
Westerhof is nigerian in his veins n only a Dutchman skin wise. He is even more patriotic than most outta here.
That is why they call him THE DUTCH-GERIAN 🙂 🙂 🙂
I really like Mr Westerof
He is so much patriotic about Nigeria football
This is the man. See how he breaks everything down. Chai, coaching job is not that easy but if you know how to do your job in a simplest way, life will be easier for you as a coach.
Mr. Westerhof knows his stuffs too well. Mr. Westerhof, Jo Bonfrere and coach Dennerby are technically and tactically sound.
I am expecting Mr. Rohr to tell his troops to go out there and beat Brazil. Yes, we can achieve that why not. This our Super Eagles can beat any team. I believe that.
This is what the Eagles have to do to beat Brazil on that day.
At first, no selfish play
Secondly, they have to play collectively as a team.
Lastly, they must attack together and defend together. It’s not about who score the goals but who wins the match.
As a good, intelligent, confidence, realiable, dependable and experienced coach, these are what you need to tell you team.
Hmmm… I remembered those days. Ah, I enjoyed playing this game of football. No long thing sha. However, We appreciate your efforts Mr. Westerhof. God bless Nigeria!!!
Good one @ Omo9ja. Playing against Brazil is not a joke. They can be beatable, but with the calibre of players they have at their disposal, it is not going to be easy for the Super Eagles to ride on cheaply. Anything is possible. One should relax and watch the match and not expect so much. It’s a friendly.