Samuel Osei Kuffour, a former Ghanaian defender, has called his departure from the Black Stars one of the most trying times in his professional life.
Ghana qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006 thanks in large part to the former Bayern Munich player. But during the team’s opening game against eventual champion Italy, his tournament experience took an emotional turn.
Kuffour’s misdirected back pass resulted in a goal, which helped Ghana lose 2-0. He was consequently left out of the starting lineup for the Round of 16 encounter against Brazil and was also removed from the squad for the second group-stage game.
“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.
