Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is in critical condition

According to Vanguard on Saturday, his wife, Lilian, told its Saturday Editor, Onochie Anibeze, on Friday night that the 86-year-old was receiving treatment at Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, his hometown.

“The doctor just told us he has colon cancer and we are all devastated. He is in a critical condition and emotional, talking about our two daughters. He wants to live. We need help. We need prayers,” she said.

Lilian said Westerhof was taken to the hospital on Wednesday, adding that the cancer diagnosis was a fresh challenge in his ongoing health struggles.

The Dutchman had previously been battling Alzheimer’s disease.

His wife also expressed concern over the care he was receiving at the hospital. She said she hoped to transfer him to a better-equipped medical facility in Amsterdam or Germany.

“They appear to have given up. I don’t understand,” she said.

Westerhof, 86, is renowned for his contributions to Nigerian football as head coach of the Super Eagles.

Saturday Telegraph recalls that he led Nigeria to qualify for its first FIFA World Cup in 1994 and guided the team to win the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia the same year.

Under his leadership, Nigeria finished second at the 1990 AFCON and claimed bronze in 1992. The Super Eagles rose to fifth in the FIFA world rankings, which is a landmark achievement for Nigerian and African football.