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Last Updated: 2005-09-06 18:18:59
By Emiko Bake (Online Editor) Email to a friend  |  Printable version

Westerhof speaks on College of Excellence

Clemence Westerhoff
Rector of recently FIFA-approved Football College of Excellence, Ilorin, Kwara State of Nigeria, Mr. Clemens Westerhof,took time off recently to explain in details, why the football school is christened: "Football College of Excellence." In an exclusive chat with nigeriasports.com the former loquacious tender of the national team, Super Eagles disclosed:

"The College is so-named, because we intend to ensure that, everything about our activities, are excellent.  The College is not only for the training and development of kids, who are potential stars, but also to improve on their intellectual abilities.  It is not intended for such kids, who cannot control the ball; not for those group of players, who though look good, but do not possess the basics of the game and as such, race after the ball, even when the object is rolling to Ibadan," the Dutchman, who was once the Technical Adviser to the Zimbabwean national soccer team, said sacarstically.

Westerhof fingered a four-letter word - 'TIPS'  as the cardinal driving focus of the Ilorin-based institute.  He said that, the fullfilment of this cardinal focus, would translate to "EXCELLENCE".  "Further to my explanation," continued the Dutch, who said he could not reconcile the approach adopted by the Eagles when they were a man short in their World Cup qualifier against Algeria last Sunday and the situation at hand then,"the 'I' stands for Intellect.

"These are those, who do not only play the game with their feet, but also with their brains.  When the Super Eagles were one-man short in Algeria, an Okocha in the mid-field, would have known what to do immediately, to make up for the vacuum thus created, without having to wait for the coach to tell him.  But what did we see? 

Our graduates would be potential world's top players, who would be taught how to play with both their feet and heads...and that I say, is our mission and it is an excellent drive aimed at achieving "EXCELLENCE," he reassured in a tone exuding emphatic confidence.

The College's Rector also told nigeriasports.com that, there would be Campuses in some of the States of the Federation, where some of the students, who perhaps, are discovered not to be head-over-heels with the game in all aspects or cannot cope with the interllectual demands of the College, would be transfered, for practical coaching from qualified football coaches. 

He emphasized that, when the College really gets going, the country would never run short of quality players for the various categories of the national teams.  Westerhof pointed out that, this would be possible because "our quality production of players programmes, would take care of this hiccups Nigeria's footballing frameworks.

" For instance, if Samson Siasia is handling a team, and wants a friendy with our boys, he if free to do so.  If his team loses to ours', then he should know that he is not, or has not done the right things.  But if his team beats our very well, he would know that his is on the right track."

 

3
Link  |  2005-09-07 17:58
Eziunor (Port harcourt)
I want to categorically state here that the head-to-head rule is faulty and dosen't mean well to Soccer- It is only dragging the beautiful game backward. Let us consider a situation whereby Nigeria losses to Zimbabwe in the final group game, say by a lone goal, and Angola also looses to Ruwanda. It then means that these 3 countries will tie at the top of the group with 18 pts each. Using the head-to-head rule, which country should be awarded the winner?Angola will have a better head-to-head than NIG, but not against ZIM. NIG has a better head-to-head against ZIM but not against ANG. Also, ZIM has a better head-to-head against ANG but not agains NIG. I'm sure this wasn't taken into consideration b/4 the introduction of that rule. However, I'll still like some explation and guidance to the implementation of the rule, especially to the scenerio as mentioned above by you guys in nigeriasports.com. Thanks in advance.
Link  |  2005-09-07 18:59
okwuchukwu,obinabo (lagos)
I do agree with eziunor i don,t understand that rule at all it makes me seek but i do pray that ruwanda win and nigeria so that the will be settle.amen
Link  |  2006-05-29 16:53
Adie (Nigeria)
With reference to the Football College of Excellence, I wish to request for the Official Website of the Football College of Excellence. Because I am interested to be a student of the Academy.
Thanks and God bless.

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