German giants, Bayern Munich, have paid glowing tribute to Ghanaian legend Samuel Osei Kuffour on his 49th birthday, hailing the former defender’s enduring impact at the club.
On their official social media channels on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the Bundesliga champions posted on their social media pages: “His Legacy Lives on Forever. Wishing Happy birthday to Sammy Kuffour!”
Kuffour joined Bayern in 1993 as a teenager from Torino and went on to spend over a decade with the Bavarians, becoming one of the club’s most reliable defenders.
He made more than 170 Bundesliga appearances, featured in over 60 UEFA Champions League matches, and helped Bayern dominate both domestically and in Europe.
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He is fondly remembered for his passionate performances, none more so than in the 1999 Champions League final against Manchester United, when cameras captured him in tears after Bayern conceded two late goals to lose the title.
That heartbreak turned to redemption two years later when Kuffour played a pivotal role as Bayern defeated Valencia to win the 2001 Champions League, ending a 25-year European drought.
Later that year, he wrote his name further into Bayern folklore by scoring the winning goal in extra time against Boca Juniors in the Intercontinental Cup final.
That strike earned him the Man of the Match award and cemented his status as one of the most successful African defenders in European club football.
During his time in Munich, Kuffour collected an enviable haul of six Bundesliga titles, four DFB-Pokal trophies, the Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup and several domestic Super Cups.
Individually, he was named BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2001 and twice finished as runner-up in the CAF African Player of the Year award.
Off the pitch, his humility and loyalty to Bayern made him a fan favourite.
He has consistently credited the club for shaping his career and life. “Bayern Munich made me who I am today,” Kuffour once said, underlining the strong bond that continues to this day.
FKA/EB
Meanwhile, watch videos from Black Stars first training sessions ahead of WC Qualifiers against Chad and Mali
