Kuffour leaves for Al-Ain in the UAE

The highly successful two year romance between Emmanuel Osei Kuffour and Accra Hearts of Oak effectively came to an end on Wednesday September 5, 2001 when the star striker expectedly left Accra en route to Dubai to commence a three year professional career in the UAE with local club side Al-Ain.

Although the move is dream come true, Osei-Kuffour has said he very much regrets leaving Hearts of Oak at a time the Phobians really needed his experience most to ward off the challenge by Kotoko.

During his stint with Accra Hearts of Oak, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour emerged the club's heart and soul and was superbly instrumental in the club's African Cup success. His record 10 goals made him top scorer ever in the CAF champions league since the renaming of the annual African club soccer fiesta from the then Champions Club Competition to the African Champions League. Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour was also voted Ghana's footballer of the year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG). He was even short-listed among 49 other African greats for the CAF best footballer award last year.

Fans and well-wishers have extended their best wishes to the player whose absence will be really felt at Hearts of Oak. A versatile utility players and member of the Black Stars, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour is very comfortable playing in defence, midfield or in attack where he has made much of his name. In Ghana's last world cup qualifying match against Nigeria, Kuffour was a substitute goalkeeper after Ghana's keeper had been injured and the mandatory 3 substitutions made. He distinguished himself, holding the marauding Nigerians in check until the final whistle.