Sports

Westerhof Focused On Our Physicality To Achieve Success… Ex-International

Published

5 years ago

May 31, 2021

Former International Adebayo Gbadebo has revealed that Coach Clemence Westerhof Focused on the physicality of the Nigerian players to achieve success while handling the Super Eagles.

The former Stationery Stores of Lagos player revealed this at the monthly Ex- University of Ibadan Footballers Association interactive session said there were not much tactical input.

Quoting his words, the NUGA gold medalist from the University of Ibadan, said “I was invited to join the team immediately after the NUGA in University of Port Harcourt in 1990. When we got to the camp then, we mixed up with the other home based players like Friday Ekpo, Late Thompson Oliha among others.

“I think as a coach now, I now know what he did most then. He focused most on players who were ready; he worked much on their physical to prepare the team. I think he did a very good job then, but as a foreign coach, he should have done better. He focused on our physical, because he knew what we were made off, and our style of play. He put it on our zeal and passion to play the game. But, there was nothing much on tactical, only pushing, running and getting ready for games ” he said.

Coach Adebayo Gbadebo an ex UIte flying the Nigerian flag as Manager and Head Coach of Suphanburi Football Club in the Thailand Premier League.

Coach Gbadebo, who had an excellent playing career in Nigeria and Asia, started his football career as a centre back at the then wave-making Stationary Stores FC of Lagos between 1990 and 1993 where he played in the semi final of the African Champions Cup in 1993. He was also invited to the Nigeria National U-20 and U-23 teams while at Stores. He had a brief stint at Eagle Cement FC of Port Harcourt and moved abroad afterward, when he signed for Al-Bourj FC of Lebanon. In 1998, he moved to Mohun Bagan Athletic Club – renowned as one of the oldest football clubs in India and Asia having been founded in 1889. Coach Gbadebo, who was at the heart of the defence, led the team to an all time high 2nd position in the Indian Soccer League and champion of the Indian Cup shield.

The University of Ibadan Sociology graduate and 1991 Sheffield (UK) World University Games veteran moved to B.E.C. Tero Sasana F.C. of Thailand in 2000 where he led B.E.C to win the Thai Premier League and the quarter final of the Asia Champions League in the 2000-2001 season. In 2004, he moved to the Indonesian club PSPS Pekanbaru.

After a successful playing career that took him from Nigeria to Lebanon, India, Indonesia and Thailand, he eventually retired into coaching and got his Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Coaching “C” Licence in 2006 and the “B” Licence 2 years later. He completed his Futuro 3 FIFA/AFF MA Administration and Management Course in Bangkok, Thailand in 2010 and obtained his AFC Coaching “A” Licence in 2014 and acquired the AFC Pro Diploma Licence in 2019.

Interestingly, the gentle giant and former defence stalwart, who attended Ansar Ud Deen Primary School Odunfa, Ebute Metta Lagos State and Ansar Ud Deen Grammar School, Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos State, is not just an ‘A list’ manager, he is also a pastor! He was ordained as Assistant Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in 2006 and later ordained as a full pastor in 2009. He is the National Coordinator of the church in Thailand.

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Sports

Tangerine APT Pension Crowned New Kings of PFA Games 2025

Published

10 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
Joel Ajayi Tangerine APT Pension stormed the 2025 Pension Fund Administrators Games and snatched the crown with a commanding 66 points—ending FCMB’s reign and announcing themselves as the new champions of corporate sporting excellence.

From the first whistle to the final scoreboard, Tangerine APT played like an organisation possessed. They dominated volleyball and snooker, showcased brilliant tactical depth to finish second in chess behind Norrenberger, secured second place in team bonding behind Premium Pension, and held their own across the board—fourth in football, sixth in table tennis, fifth in scrabble, and eighth in e-sports, press conference, discipline and grooming. Every point mattered, and Tangerine APT grabbed them with fire.

Defending champions FCMB, despite flashes of brilliance, simply could not summon last year’s magic.

They finished second overall with 63 points—just three points behind the new champions. FCMB were first in scrabble, second in football, third in table tennis and e-sports, fourth in snooker and team bonding, and fifth in volleyball, chess, and press conference/discipline/grooming. A brave defence, but not enough to stop the Tangerine wave.

Rounding off the podium is NPF Pension, finishing third with 57 points after a spirited campaign. They claimed gold in football, second in table tennis and e-sports, third in volleyball, fourth in scrabble, sixth in press conference/discipline/fanfare/most coordinated, seventh in chess, and eighth in snooker and team bonding.

The rest of the table saw fierce competition:4th – Norrenberger Pension: 52 points, 5th – Premium Pension: 47 points, 6th – NNPC Pension: 45 points, 7th – Access Arm: 41 points
In Others position 8th – Trustfund Pension: 29 points 9th – PENCOM: 28 points and 10th – NUPEMCO: 25 points.

With the dust settled and the cheers still echoing, one truth stands tall:Tangerine APT Pension has ushered in a new era—bold, dominant, and unforgettable.

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