Current skipper of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour has expressed surprise at being left out of the present local Black Stars that are billed to play their Nigerien counterparts at the Tamale Sports Stadium on Sunday in spite of his form. The former Accra Hearts of Oak and AshGold prolific schemer cum striker has on countless occasions been left out of the Black Stars despite his immense experience on the local scene as well as two Nations Cup participation. Kuffour played a key role in the 2000 and 2002 Nations Cup hosted by Ghana/Nigeria and Mali respectively, captaining the Black Stars team that reached the quarterfinals in Mali. "When I was scoring great goals for AshGold at the same time contesting for the 2006 league goal king, I was still left out of the team", the inspirational hero for most local stars lamented to Daily Guide Sports. "I therefore do not understand why I have been refused entry into the Black Stars where I was a regular member during the 1999-2003 periods even when I was playing in the local league for Hearts. "People say I am old but they have forgotten that I started playing active football at the tender age of 17 for Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs then as a defender in 1991/92 season." It was during his days at Hearts that Coach Cecil Jones Attuquayefio converted Kuffour into a striker in his second season in 2000. Kuffour instantly became a hero for the Accra-based team leading the team to win the African Champions League for the first time in their history, and as well won the goal king race in the competition. At the time, he nearly secured a one million dollar contract with Ukraine outfit Shaktar Donestk but medical examinations declared him unfit due to gallstones in his bladder. He subsequently aided Hearts to win the African Confederations Cup in 2004, defeating archrivals and his present side Kotoko. He also won five league titles with the Phobians in his six-year spell at the club. Source: Daily Guide