Kuffour in hot water

Bayern Munich defender, Samuel Kuffour is in hot water after criticising Ghana's African Nations Cup build up.

The Ghanaian national team coach, Fred Osam-Duodu has given Kuffour until Thursday to "withdraw or confirm" the comments he made on the BBC slamming the Ghana Football Association and the Black Stars.

In a statement Osam-Duodu said that Kuffour should either respond or face the consequences. Kuffour told BBC Sport Online that Ghana would struggle at the Nations Cup because the GFA had not given them the necessary support.

"There are a lot of problems in the management of the national team and I must say that the GFA is to blame for most of them," said Kuffour.

"We try to do the best for our nation. I do my best when I play because I am conscious of the fact that my family will have to suffer a lot of abuse from fans.

"People could abuse my mother on the street when we lose a game," he added.

"I must tell you that it will kill me if my mum has to receive insults because of what I do for the national team."

Kuffour also criticised the change in the captaincy of the national team which came about after Charles Akunnor was dropped from the provisional squad.

Akunnor only found out about his exclusion when BBC Sport Online contacted him in Germany.

Many Ghanaian fans support Kuffour's comments and the coach's reaction has been interpreted as a means to muzzle the Bayern defender.

However some also think an apology by Kuffour would be appropriate to end the tension which has dogged the side since the exclusion of Akunnor.

There is already speculation that Kuffour will be excluded from the Black Stars squad for the Nations Cup.

That would be a difficult decision for Ghana with Kuffour a reigning European champion with Bayern and also hot favourite for the African footballer of the year award.