Kuffour testimonial gets royal approval

The Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II has lauded former Bayern Munich defender Samuel Kuffour for an excellent career and promised to put in a personal appearance when his testimonial takes place in Kumasi on December 23 this year.

Kuffour, a native of Kumasi, was at Manhyia on Wednesday to officially inform the Asantehene of his testimonial and extend an invitation to the king to out in an appearance at the stadium; something he has agreed to.

The Otumfour will perform the symbolic kick off for the game at the Baba Yara Stadium before a host of big name ex and current players, including Lothar Mattheus, Steffan Effenberg, Andy Cole, Dwaight Yorke, Samuel Eto'o and Jay Jay Okocha, take on the Black Stars to draw the curtain on a hugely successful career.

"It's a career that the Otumfour says he watched progress with pride. I am glad you have come back to your roots for your final game,” he told the defender, who racked up several domestic titles and the Champions League with Bayern Munich over a 12-year span and represented Ghana at every international competition of note.

"In the course of your career you were a great example of what hard work can do and it the fact you have never forgotten your background particularly gladdens me."

The Asantehene though, says he wishes Kuffour had played for Kumasi Asante Kotoko, where he is the life patron. But that won't stop what is certain to be a huge outcome at the Baba Yara Stadium for a final goodbye to a player who made Kumasi proud during a distinguished career.