Position: Defender
Born: 03.09.76
Club: Roma

Samuel Kuffour will bring plenty of big-game experience to the Black Stars' defence in the biggest year of Ghana's football history.

The veteran defender, previously made captain of the side at just 23, made his return to the national set-up in June 2004 after ironing out his disputes with Ghana's federation following his dismissal from the 2002 African Cup of Nations over a breach of discipline.

Kuffour subsequently helped his country qualify for their first-ever World Cup finals although he was unable to prevent them suffering a dismal exit from January's continental championship in Egypt.

At club level Kuffour joined Bayern Munich in 1993 as a 17-year-old but had to wait until 1998 to make his break his first-team breakthrough.

After winning major honours with the German giants including several Bundesliga titles, the 2001 Champions League and the World Club Cup where he scored the winning goal against Boca Juniors, Kuffour signed for Roma last September and played a key role in their UEFA Cup campaign.

The two-time Ghana Player of the Year has the physical presence and the mental strength to get the better of all different types of strikers from the small and quick to the big and powerful.