This Article Was Last Updated: August 31, 2026 by Oseg Hale
Clemens Westerhof led Nigeria to its first FIFA World Cup in 1994 and won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles that same year. The Dutch coach managed Nigeria from 1989 to 1994 and took the team to the 1990 and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Who is Clemens Westerhof?
Clemens Westerhof was born on 3 May 1940 in Beek, Netherlands. He built his coaching career in Dutch football before taking charge of Nigeria in 1989.
Westerhof spent five years with the Super Eagles. During that period, Nigeria finished second at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, took third place in 1992 and won the competition in 1994.
He also guided Nigeria to the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the Round of 16.
Clemens Westerhof Early Life
Westerhof started his coaching career in the Netherlands. He worked with Westervoort before taking charge of Vitesse Arnhem.
In 1976, he joined Feyenoord as an assistant coach. He later managed MVV Maastricht from 1982 to 1984 before returning to Vitesse Arnhem for the 1984–85 season.
Those roles preceded his move into international football with Nigeria in 1989.
Clemens Westerhof Age
Clemens Westerhof was born on 3 May 1940. He turned 86 on 3 May 2026.
Clemens Westerhof Wife and Family
Clemens Westerhof previously married Zimbabwean model Tendayi Katekete, who later became known as Tendayi Westerhof.
The couple had a daughter, Aaliyah Nyashadzashe Westerhof, before they divorced in 2002.
Westerhof later married Lilian. A May 2026 report said he was living in the Netherlands with Lilian and their two daughters.
Clemens Westerhof Coaching Career
After his early work in Dutch football, Westerhof took charge of Nigeria in 1989.
He remained with the Super Eagles until July 1994 and then returned to club and international management.
Westerhof became Zimbabwe’s national team coach in 1998 and held the position until 2000. He then managed Mamelodi Sundowns before taking charge of Dynamos Harare.
He later worked as sporting director at Sporting Lions Harare and managed Bush Bucks in South Africa in 2004.
Transfermarkt lists Bush Bucks as his final managerial position, with his spell ending on 15 March 2004.
Clemens Westerhof Managerial Career
| Years | Team | Role |
| 1970–1972 | Westervoort | Manager |
| 1975–1976 | Vitesse Arnhem | Manager |
| 1976–1982 | Feyenoord | Assistant coach |
| 1982–1984 | MVV Maastricht | Manager |
| 1984–1985 | Vitesse Arnhem | Manager |
| 1989–1994 | Nigeria | Manager |
| 1998–2000 | Zimbabwe | Manager |
| 2000 | Mamelodi Sundowns | Manager |
| 2000–2001 | Dynamos Harare | Manager |
| 2002–2003 | Sporting Lions Harare | Sporting director |
| 2004 | Bush Bucks | Manager |
Clemens Westerhof and the Super Eagles
The Nigeria Football Association appointed Westerhof as Super Eagles coach in 1989.
Nigeria had missed the 1990 FIFA World Cup after Cameroon won their final qualifying tie. Westerhof then took Nigeria to the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations final in Algeria.
Nigeria reached the final after beating Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Senegal. Algeria won the final 1–0.
Two years later, Nigeria returned to the Africa Cup of Nations and finished third after beating Cameroon in the third-place match.
Westerhof then led Nigeria through the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign. Nigeria finished ahead of Côte d’Ivoire in the decisive qualifying group and secured its first place at the World Cup.
1994 Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria entered the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia under Westerhof.
The Super Eagles opened the tournament with a 3–0 win over Gabon before drawing 0–0 with Egypt.
Nigeria then beat Zaire 2–0 in the quarter-finals.
The semi-final against Côte d’Ivoire ended 2–2 after extra time. Nigeria won the penalty shoot-out 4–2 to reach the final.
Nigeria faced Zambia in the final and won 2–1 to claim the Africa Cup of Nations title.
1994 FIFA World Cup
Nigeria made its World Cup debut at the 1994 tournament in the United States.
The Super Eagles opened Group D with a 3–0 victory over Bulgaria. Argentina then beat Nigeria 2–1 before Nigeria defeated Greece 2–0 in its final group match.
The results put Nigeria top of Group D and sent the team into the Round of 16.
Nigeria faced Italy in the knockout stage. Emmanuel Amuneke put Nigeria ahead before Roberto Baggio equalised late in normal time.
Baggio then converted a penalty in extra time as Italy won 2–1.
The result ended Nigeria’s first World Cup campaign in the Round of 16.
Clemens Westerhof’s Nigeria Players
Westerhof worked with several players who became prominent figures in Nigerian football during the early 1990s.
Rashidi Yekini, Daniel Amokachi, Stephen Keshi, Finidi George, Emmanuel Amuneke, Sunday Oliseh and Austin Jay-Jay Okocha all featured for Nigeria during his tenure.
The 1994 World Cup squad also included Victor Ikpeba, Uche Okechukwu, Augustine Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju.
Life After Nigeria
Westerhof returned to international management with Zimbabwe in 1998.
He left the Zimbabwe job in 2000 and later managed Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa. He subsequently worked with Dynamos Harare and Sporting Lions Harare.
Westerhof returned to club management with Bush Bucks in 2004. Transfermarkt records that spell as his final managerial appointment.
SAFA Contract Dispute
In 2000, Westerhof took legal action against the South African Football Association over an alleged breach of contract.
The case followed a dispute over the appointment of South Africa’s national team coach.
The parties later settled the matter out of court.
Return to Nigeria
Westerhof was linked with the Super Eagles job again in 2005 when Nigeria searched for a new national team coach.
The Nigerian Football Association did not appoint him.
Clemens Westerhof Honours and Achievements
Nigeria
- Africa Cup of Nations winner: 1994
- Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 1990
- Africa Cup of Nations third place: 1992
- Nigeria’s first FIFA World Cup qualification: 1994
- FIFA World Cup Round of 16: 1994
Clemens Westerhof Records
Westerhof became the first coach to take Nigeria to the FIFA World Cup.
He also became the coach of Nigeria’s second Africa Cup of Nations-winning team after the country first won the competition in 1980.
His Nigeria tenure lasted from 1989 to 1994.
Where is Clemens Westerhof Now?
Clemens Westerhof lives in the Netherlands.
A May 2026 report said he was living at his country home with his wife Lilian and their two daughters as he marked his 86th birthday.
He has remained involved in discussions about Nigerian football through interviews and other football-related activities.
