- Bayern Munich did not forget to honour one of their legendary footballers of all generations on his 49th birthday
- Sammy Kuffour notched up more than 170 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich during a trophy-laden stint
- The former Black Stars defender names his child after the city of Munich in 2022, showing his affection for the club that made him
Bayern Munich paid a glowing tribute to one of their greatest defenders, Samuel Osei “Sammy” Kuffour, as he marked his 49th birthday on September 3.
Kuffour joined Bayern in 1993 as a teenager from Torino and went on to spend 12 memorable years with the Bavarian club until 2005.
Source: Getty Images
During that time, the ex-King Faisal FC player, who recently fired Jamie Carragher over his AFCON comments, established himself as one of the most reliable defenders in European football and a cult hero among the Bayern faithful.
In the Bundesliga alone, the ex-Black Stars defender made 175 appearances, scoring seven goals, while across all competitions, he racked up approximately 277 games in the famous red shirt, according to Wikipedia stats.
His consistency, discipline, and passion for the badge made him a fixture in Bayern’s backline for over a decade, as the German heavywieght did not forget to honour of their legendary players.
Bayern Munich took to social media platform, X, to post a heartfelt message to Kuffour:
“His Legacy Lives On Forever. Wishing Happy birthday to Sammy Kuffour.”
How many trophies did Kuffour win?
Few African players in Europe can boast of a trophy haul as rich as Kuffour’s. During his time with Bayern Munich, he collected 16 major honours, including: 6 Bundesliga titles (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005), 4 DFB-Pokal (German Cup) victories, 4 Ligapokal (League Cup) triumphs, 1 UEFA Champions League title (2001), and 1 Intercontinental Cup (2001), where he scored the winner and was named Man of the Match.
Kuffour’s career was filled with memorable moments, both joyful and heartbreaking. Perhaps the most enduring image of him came in the 1999 Champions League final, when he broke down in tears after Bayern’s dramatic defeat to Manchester United.
Two years later, he earned redemption as Bayern lifted the Champions League trophy in 2001, cementing his place among Europe’s elite.
Later that same year, he wrote his name into folklore when he scored the extra-time winner against Boca Juniors in the Intercontinental Cup final.
Inspired by the words of Ghanaian UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who had urged him to make his nation proud, Kuffour, who worked as a pundit during Euro 2020, delivered one of the greatest nights of his career.
Source: Getty Images
Kuffour’s connection with Bayern has never faded. In 2022, according to Bavarian Football Works, the club revealed that he had named his newborn son “Munich” in honour of the team that shaped his career.
Touched by the gesture, Bayern sent matching home kits, one for Kuffour and a miniature one for baby Munich, as featured on the clubs’ official website. It was a heartwarming moment that highlighted the deep bond between the Ghanaian legend and the German powerhouse.
Bayern honours Kuffour on 48th birthday
YEN.com.gh earlier reported on Bayern Munich’s special tribute to Sammy Kuffour when he turned 48 last year.
Kuffour’s illustrious achievements cemented his place in Bayern’s history and earned him recognition as one of Africa’s most decorated footballers, with the German giants holding him in the highest regard.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
