Ex-Black Stars defender John Paintsil has disclosed how Emmanuel Osei Kuffour made life unbearable for him in Mali in 2002 AFCON which resulted in a serious fight.
Black stars players have been long accused of turning their camps into a defiance hub and the former Westham defender revelations confirm the assertions of Ghanaians
According to Paintsil, he was bullied by Osei Kuffour in the Black Stars camp during the 2002 AFCON tournament in Mali.
The former Fulham right-back says he exchanged blows with the Hearts of Oak legend during an interview on Accra based radio.
“I fought with one of my seniors during that tournament. Emmanuel Kuffour the General is that player. He brought the fight. He was bullying and making life uncomfortable for me in camp. I know he will laugh over it now because we have moved on. He really made feel bad in camp so one day I just couldn’t tolerate him any longer so I threw the punch, he replied and we fought.”- Paintsil told Kasapa Fm
“The national team was rough at that time but I think we were rebuilding. There was no unity among the players because everyone felt he was a senior,” he concluded
The Black Stars were quarter-finalist in the tournament as hopes of a fifth title were dashed by 1-0 defeat to Nigeria.
The chaos and disorderliness in the team in that tournament can also be realized in the axing of Sammy Kuffour from the team’s camp.
Officials say the former Bayern defender was sacked for being indiscipline but he recently in an interview with Joy FM rejected those claims.
