Kuffour dedicate Champions medal to victims

Ghanaian defender Samuel Osei Kuffour has said he is dedicating his European Champions League medal to victims of the Accra Stadium disaster in which 126 fans died during a stampede on May 9. Kuffour, who won the European title with his German side Bayern Munich against Valencia of Spain in Milan last Wednesday, made the statement as he stepped on to Ghanaian soil for the first time since winning the trophy.

This emotional gesture would certainly be a touching one in the hearts of many Ghanaians, who were following Kuffour's Champions League moments with Bayern throughout the European campaign.

There were wild scenes of rejoicing at his city of birth Kumasi after Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn saved the last penalty in a post-game shoot-out that assured the German side victory after drawing with the Spaniards 1-1 in 120 minutes of play.

Sad news

The Accra tragedy occurred on the same day Kuffour had helped Bayern win second-leg semi-final against Real Madrid in Munich. Kuffour and other professionals want to help victims' families Kuffour said: "I'm going to dedicate my Cup success to the families who lost their loved ones in the disaster.

"I hope God will give them the strength to come out of their grief in a victorious way just like I also did with Bayern.

"I had just finished playing against Real Madrid and was going to call my friends and family in Ghana to rejoice yet another European Cup final when I was told the sad news."

Kuffour and Ghanaian skipper Charles Akonnor will be joined by other foreign-based team-mates to hold a meeting to decide what help to give the families of the dead and over 100 injured.

Fruitful season

The foreign-based players want to lay a wreath at the main site of the crush where many of the fans died of suffocation and to give cash donations to the families.

After a fruitful season in Germany which yielded the League title and the European Cup, Kuffour will be in Ghana on vacation to make up his mind on the various offers he has received.

"I will have to hang heads with my wife and probably get advice from my mentor Anthony Yeboah before I decide what to do," Kuffour said upon arrival at Accra's Kotoka International Airport.

Initially, Kuffour said he would stay with Bayern after Lazio proposed to the German club a transfer fee of $18 million. Another move to Barcelona was turned down.

But the 26-year-old could be swayed by other offers from Juventus and Inter Milan, who have promised him over $1m a year in wages - three times his salary at Bayern.