Posted by By Tony Ubani on
FORMER Dutch Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Clemens Westerhof who took Nigeria to her first World Cup appearance in USA ‘94 is seething with anger at officials of the Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, for the tight rope they pushed the Super Eagles to in their qualification race for the World Cup in Germany.
FORMER Dutch Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Clemens Westerhof who took Nigeria to her first World Cup appearance in USA ‘94 is seething with anger at officials of the Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, for the tight rope they pushed the Super Eagles to in their qualification race for the World Cup in Germany.
Westerhof who signed a five-year-contract yesterday as a Rector and Chief Administrator of an academy; School of Excellence in Ilorin declared 'if I were Chukwu, I would not have gone to Kano for the match. I fix a time for a match and they change it, I tell them to go and I stay. I remain in the house to allow them play the match", the big Dutch who looks fit with his trade mark jokes said, condemning playing match in Kano in the afternoon when most of the Nigerian players are based abroad and would find the Kano weather harsh.
The man who said that he was a ‘Dutch Nigerian' regretted the difficult position the Super Eagles found themselves in.
. 'Can you imagine Togo going to the World Cup and Nigeria is missing? It is ridiculous. Those running football want Nigerians to carry guns and ask them questions. I feel sad, but what do I see? Committee on World Cup. I look well and I see my friend's name, Onoch (Onochie Anibeze) and I shut up. Maybe, they want him to protect them.
But seriously speaking, Nigeria is not a country to miss from the World Cup. How can it be? No. It is not possible", the man said. Going memory lane the Dutch said that it was his direct link with late Head of State, Sanni Abacha that made him succeed. 'I told him, you have to give money direct to FA.
He asked why and I explained that if money moves from you to Vice President and there to Accountant General and to sports ministry etc, the money develops wing and becomes half. And he said you have it as you said. That is part of my success", the man said, commending Stephen Keshi for the great work he is doing in Togo. However, he said that all hopes should not be lost of qualifying for the World Cup. 'If they are serious, Nigeria should qualify. We need to win all remaining two matches and pray that Angola draw or lose one of theirs. It is possible", he surmised.