by Arinze Ude
Former Nigeria national team coach, Clemens Westerhof has revealed that players bribed their way into the national team in the past.
The self-acclaimed ‘Dutchgerian’ told Supersport.com players who did not merit a place in the national team got call-ups after giving money to the selectors.
“We had a situation where we had the wrong people in the wrong places, even in the (Nigeria) FA,” Westerhof said.
The Dutchman went on to specifically state that monies usually exchanged hands between national team selectors and the players when places in the national team were considered.
“We had cases where players paid $15,000 (about N2.8 million) to the coach and say ‘I want to play for the national team’ and the coach would accept. They bought their way into the national team and it was an unbelievable situation. Very sad. I know these things,” an angry Westerhof said.
With Nigeria set to compete at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations from January, Westerhof said things have changed for the better under current head coach, Stephen Keshi.
“My captain (Keshi) is there now and you can see the changes because he selects the right people.
“Nigeria beat Liberia 6-1 in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and outclassed Venezuela (in an international friendly earlier this month). The results come because players are now selected on merit.
“If Keshi can manage to hold that group together things will get even better. If there is discipline everywhere; the players sleep in time and live like professionals, work like professionals and think like professionals and even go to the toilet like a professionals, then you will see Nigeria will come back,” he said.
Culled from Super Sport
