Son of Bayern Munich icon has had 'meteoric rise' to EFL football
SAM Kuffour Jnr has had a ‘meteoric rise’ to play EFL football for Colchester United.
That’s the view of U’s boss Danny Cowley, after he handed the young defender a league debut in the win over Harrogate Town.
Kuffour came on as a late substitute in Colchester’s 3-1 triumph over the Sulphurites, last weekend.
The 22-year-old, who made his senior debut earlier this month in the U’s Vertu Trophy win against Gillingham, has had to work hard to play league football.
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Kuffour joined Colchester on a professional contract from Maldon and Tiptree last February, having previously had trials at multiple clubs and spent time with football academy Elite Coaching Academy, along with having a brief spell at Israeli club Hapoel Be'er Sheva, in 2022.
The centre-back, who is the son of former Bayern Munich favourite Samuel Kuffour, had been playing at National League South side AFC Hornchurch on loan from the U’s earlier this season but is now back at the JobServe Community Stadium and looking to make a positive impression.
Cowley said: “Sam’s come back from Hornchurch, where he helped them get to the top of the division.
“He did a good job there and he’s going from strength to strength.
“I know how hard he’s worked to make his senior debut.
“He’s had to come through the levels and only last year, he was playing at Maldon and Tiptree.
“It’s been a meteoric rise for Sam.”
Kuffour became the latest young player to make his Colchester debut when he came on for Harry Anderson in the closing stages of the Harrogate game.
“It was brilliant for Sam,” added Cowley.
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“We wanted to get him on the pitch.
“I said to Sam that the next time he comes on, it’ll probably be important.
“He was coming on with a minute to go, when we were in a good place in the game.
“It was good for him to get on the pitch and for him to make his senior debut.
“I don’t give it away but he’s been training really well, so he earned it.
“It was a good moment.
“I wanted to get Harry a round of applause because I thought he deserved it and I also wanted to get Sam on the pitch.”
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