I was the best player against Italy in 2006 World Cup - Samuel Osei Kuffour

Samuel Osei Kuffour says he was Ghana's best player against Italy during the Black Stars opening game during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Kufour played a key role in Ghana’s maiden appearance to the Mundial.

However, Kuffour was criticized by many football fans after his blunder that led to the Italians second goal.

After a costly mistake in that first match, Kuffour was dropped for the next three games as Ghana bowed out in the round-of-16 against Brazil.

According to him, he accepts his mistake but cautioned that what happened to him could have happened to any player.

“It was amazing to play in the 2006 World Cup,” Kuffour told GTV in an interview.

“We were determined to make history and playing the Round of 16 in the first for me was a history.

“I was the best player on the pitch against Italy but it was unfortunate I committed that mistake.

“I apologize to the team after the game. What happened to me can happen to every player but I am happy as a player because I have played in every competition organized by FIFA,” he added.

Kuffour won his first cap as a 17-year-old in a game against Sierra Leone on 28 November 1993.

Kuffour became the youngest Olympic Football Champion of all-time when he collected bronze at the 1992 Olympics. He was also a member of the squad that reached the quarterfinals at the same level in 1996.

On 12 January 2007, the Confederation of African Football voted Kuffour as a member of the Top 30 African Players of All-Time.