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Sports News of Saturday, 30 May 2020

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Sammy Kuffour names Overmars, Henry as toughest players he faced

Former Ghana defender Samuel Osei Kuffour has disclosed that Marc Overmars and Thierry Henry were the players that he found tough to mark during his playing days.

The Bayern Munich legend has arrived in his home country after several attempts to get a club before the transfer window shut last week.

Kuffour is widely regarded as one of the best defenders to have graced the pitch, with a career spanning more than 22 years.

The 43-year-old won several titles with German giants Bayern Munich before winding down his career at AS Roma, Livorno and Ajax.

In an interview with Joy Sports Link, Kuffour was quizzed on which players he had a hard time marking out as a defender during his playing days.

"Marc Overmars was the player that gave me tough time. I remember we played a Champions League game against Ajax in 95 and Trappatoni [Giovanni] called me said he was going to count on me because Ajax were then good," Kuffour disclosed on Joy FM.

"Before the game I had a deep chat with [Nwankwo] Kanu. I had known him for so long due to our clashes with Nigeria. However, 30 minutes before the game the coach called me and said your position has changed and that I will be deployed at right-back. I was thinking of marking [Clarence] Seedorf before the coach conveyed that message to me. I did not have it easy because Overmars was so quick on the ball."

"Thierry Henry was another player who game me a tough time. We played against Arsenal in the Champions League at Highbury. He was lightening fast and full of trickery in the first half but I managed to pocket him in the second half."

"Playing against Ronaldo [Nazario], Zidane [Zinedine] and Figo [Luis] game me courage because it's a big stage and if you want to make a name for yourself in the game, you need to play against these players and I'm glad I did