Westerhof tips Keshi's team for success in Brazil

The former Super Eagles trainer has urged his protege to ensure discipline and unity in his team as a way of excelling at the World Cup
Former Nigeria coach Clemens Westerhof has tipped Stephen Keshi's team to make a big splash at the World Cup in June.

The Dutchman took the Super Eagles to their first World Cup 20 years ago and had Keshi as his captain in a side that won the Africa Cup of Nations and also reached the second round at its debut in the United States of America.

Present coach Keshi has spoken of his admiration for the motivational tactics of the 74-year-old European who has in turn urged his protege to conquer the world in Brazil.

“Nigeria can be among the last four in the World Cup and the time for this is now. I dream that this is Nigeria’s time and I want Keshi to make the team a family so that they can play for each other on and off the field, make discipline high so that nobody loses his head, make good preparation and select well. If it goes like this, Nigeria will be among the last four,” Westerhof told the Vanguard.

“You have fantastic goalkeepers. And I tell you, Nigeria have many players in Europe. Not all of them are known to Nigerians but there are many good ones. Keshi can do better than I did. He should. And he can. Nigeria can be among the last four.

"You have many good players but they are silent. Ike Uche is good but he must be a team player. And the boy in Newcastle [Shola Ameobi] can be made strong and made to play behind the central attacker. [Emmanuel] Emenike is strong.

"You must have a strong left footer like [Emmanuel] Amunike or Friday Elaho. You can make the players very fit, very strong and Oyibo is in trouble, I tell you. Then you ensure there’s strong discipline. I dream every time about Nigeria.

"The time for Nigeria is now and I know that Keshi can do it," Westerhof said.

The Super Eagles reached the last 16 at USA 94 under Westerhof and were undone by two goals from Italy's Roberto Baggio. Nigeria matched the second round record in 1998 but have since failed to make it past the first round in 2002 and 2010.

Keshi will hope to lead his side beyond the second round in Brazil to eclipse the record set by the enigmatic Dutchman.