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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