Former Super Eagles Technical Adviser Clemens Westerhof says Nigeria’s Group B opponents at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations; Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar, do not possess the pedigree and quality to hurt the team’s ambition of winning the tournament, Completesports.com reports.
Westerhof, who steered the Super Eagles to 1994 Nations Cup glory in Tunisia, as well as guiding the squad to the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals in USA – the first time by the West African nation, speaks to Completesports.com exclusively from his native country, Holland, on Thursday.
“Who are Super Eagles going to play in the AFCON?,” Westerhof demanded when asked to bare his views on Super Eagles’ chances in the group, as well as in the competition generally.
When told that Nigeria will face Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar in Group B, Westerhof grinned with optimism.
“Super Eagles will qualify!,” he screamed.
“Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi – they are no match to Super Eagles.
“Super Eagles have good players who play in Europe. (John Obi) Mikel, (Odion) Ighalo, the man in Villareall (Samuel Chukwueze)…many others.
“They have experience. And yes, the Super Eagles are big. Guinea? No, no, they can’t hurt the Super Eagles.
“Burundi and Madagascar, beat Eagles? No, no, no way.”
Asked why he is so optimistic and confident about the Super Eagles despite fears among some Nigerians that there are obvious ‘weak’ points in the team, Westerhof, nicknamed ‘Dutch-Gerian’, hinged his optimism on the players’ experience in Europe and the World Cup.
“Super Eagles’ players are in big leagues in Europe. They have World Cup experience. They have good manager (Gernot Rohr). If they get the right mentality, yes, if the players’ attitude at the AFCON is okay, yeah, they can win it.”
Exclusive By Sab Osuji
7 Comments
My naija people, una see the difference between a winner coach and my team is young, we are not ready, bla bla blah. God’s power to you guys the super eagles of Nigeria. Fly like the eagles that you are.
My brother,the fact that Westerholf said it does not mean he’s right about it. By the way where is Westerholf coaching?when was the last time Westerholf coached a competitive team.There are rules and courtesy in coaching which has left him so pls don’t compare.
Westerhof the Dutch-gerian. Lagos fans loved him so much, they got the nickname WESTER-CROWD from the Nigerian press. The Wester-crowd was always very noisy whenever we had matches at the National Stadium in Lagos. And the reason was obvious. The National Stadium was a SLAUGHTER HOUSE where opposing teams would come and get HAMMERED with goals. South Africa collected 4-0. Algeria came and received 4-1. Cote D’Ivoire got the same. Ethiopia took 6-0. Burkina Faso received 7-1. And the list goes on, too numerous to mention. Thanks Westerhof, for the memories. One thing I wish for the present Super Eagles is that they should imitate the high scoring feats of the 1990s squad. If the opportunity to win 10-0 presents itself, take it! Goals difference might come into play and become a deciding factor later in the day. So, let’s go for goals at the Afcon! Goals, goals, goals!!!
Good motivational talk from the dutchgerian..but this AfCON will be a tough to predict tournament.
As our team steps out to play Burundi, I will love to see this starting line up-Akpeyi(Never knew I will ever type his name) Aina,Troost,Balogun,Collins,Mikel, Ndidi, Iwobi, Musa, Ighalo, Chukwueze.
My guy I don’t see Etebo on the list. Are you serious?
Oga Westerhoff big league and big players alone is not a yardstick to win trophy. determination, and good preparation can easily give you a trophy than what you mentioned above. In this case compare Argentina and Iceland, Brazil and Belgium in the last world cup etc.
Funny enough, Guinea can hurt Nigeria, the are a familiar foes. May history not elude us in a hurry please.
The Super Eagles shouldn’t underrate any tram, or underestimate any team on their way to glory in Egypt.
Other African nations are also catching up with football development in the continent, Burundi will not be an easy push over, please go and ask Aubameyang of Gabon how far, and why he is not in Egypt for the AFCON.
To crown it all, we all saw what Zimbabwe did last night to the host nation.
Those who predicted 5:0 will by now go back and readjust their predictions for other games. Because Zimbabwe would have gotten at least a point in the game played yesterday if not that , the show too much respect to the Egyptian team.
I wish the Super Eagles and Super Falcons victory respectively.
Happy weekend guys
Who will Etebo bench in the midefied of three that comprise of Ndidi, Mikel, and Alex?. So i don’t see such happening if the coach decide to start with 4-3-3 formation. Although this does not make Etebo a bad player, but with 3 players in the middle i don’t see Etebo starting the match and he would have to settle for a place on the bench of the super eagle. I wish the team best of luck, and i hope the best team carry the day at the end of 90minutes