Africa lack world-class defenders - Osei Kuffour

Tough-talking Ex-Ghana defender Sammy Kuffuor claims Africa lack world-class defenders to match up to global standards.

The Bayern Munich legend has revealed the continent will continue to play catch-ups due to the lack of quality defenders.

African defenders have struggled to make world-class teams in recent times due to their perceived poor quality.

Africa boasted of several top players who competed at the top level of world football with former stars Rigobert Song, Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish and Joseph Yobo amongst others staking a claim for the continent.

But it appears the once dominant African players who thrilled on the global stage have in a spectacular fashion faded extremely fast.

Kuffuor, an iconic Ghanaian figure, says the current crop of defenders from the continent are not up to scratch to compete on the global stage.

“It’s very difficult to choose because they are not many today. Yobo is retired, I think so I can’t choose the right central defender from Africa.” he told BBC Sportsworld

“It’s dicey because there is no one who plays like we used to. Myself, Mark Fish, Rigobert Song,Lucas Radebe and all those players.

“But now they are no more there. Today they play for teams like Swansea or whatever it is.

“You need to play with Man United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and other top teams. You need to play with the big players at the highest level.

“So the people can judge if you’re one of the best in the world. Right now I don’t see anyone on that level.”