Kuffour off to Germany

Amidst the uncertainty over the state of his thigh injury, Ghanaian international Samuel Osei Kuffour flew out of the country to seek the green light from his Germany physician, yet confident of playing in his third Nations Cup.

This faith was further buoyed 24 hours earlier after the Bayern Munich star held what was described as fruitful discussions on telephone with coach Osam Duodu in Cairo-their first direct contact since Kuffour arrived in Accra two weeks ago, to smoothen their strained relationship and deliberate on the Stars’ programme.

The thigh injury, sustained in mid-December, has kept Kuffour out of three Bundesliga games until the German winter break. And during the stormy days when the defender’s future in the national team looked uncertain, he adhered religiously to a training regimen, which he said was prescribed by his return to match-fitness.

Kuffour expects to be given the green light to enable him join the Stars after their return from Egypt for their final leg of their preparation.

There are also question marks over the fitness of AC Parma’s Stephen Appiah (Muscle injury), Sturm Graz striker Charles Amoah (toe) and Olympiakos forward Peter Ofori-Quaye (knee), but they are all expected to be given chances to justify themselves after being excused from the Stars’ rigorous training in order to expedite their recuperation.