Former Ghanaian defender Samuel Osei Kuffour has described leaving the Black Stars as one of the most difficult moments of his career.
The ex-Bayern Munich star played a key role in helping Ghana secure qualification for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006. However, his experience at the tournament took an emotional turn during the team’s opening match against Italy, the eventual champions.
A misplaced back pass from Kuffour led to a goal, contributing to Ghana’s 2-0 defeat. As a result, he was dropped from the squad for the second group-stage match and was also left out of the lineup for the Round of 16 clash against Brazil.
“I felt bad after the first game against Italy during the 2006 World Cup, but being dropped for the second game opened the door for others,” Kuffour told Sporty FM.
Despite his disappointment, he still believed he had put in a strong performance against Italy.
“I played one of my best games against Italy, but that mistake… and after the tournament, I told my management I could not play for the national team anymore,” he added.
Kuffour, who earned 54 caps and scored three goals for Ghana, remains one of the nation’s most decorated defenders, with a career that saw him win multiple trophies, including the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich.
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