Kuffour in line for top European prize

A week after being enlisted for this year’s African best player award, Ghanaian defender Samuel Osei Kuffour was again nominated for the prestigious European version yesterday. He is the only African player listed, and also becomes only the second Ghanaian after soccer legend Abedi Ayew Pele, who became a regular feature in the nomination of Europe’s elite stars, during his successful career with French side Olympique Marseille.

Kuffour is competing with 49 other top stars and is not ranked favourites for the ‘Ballon D’Or’ or Golden Ball, as released by France Football magazine yesterday.

His nomination for both the African and European best player awards follows a successful season with Bayern Munich, who won the UEFA Champions League and the Bundesliga title and German Cup.

Among favourites for the top prize are English stars Micheal Owen, David Beckham, Argentines Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo, Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and France captain Marcel Desailly.

Others include Bayern Munich Stars Stefan Effenberg, Giovane Elber and Oliver Kahn, Portugal and Real Madrid striker Luis Figo. The winner will be announced in France on December 18, with the selections to be made by European football journalists.