Kuffour is back home

Police in Ghana have opened an investigation into the death of international defender Samuel Osei Kuffour's daughter.

The 15-month-old baby, named Godiva, drowned in a swimming pool at the Bayern Munich player's house in Accra on Friday.

Police say they will carry out an autopsy as part of their inquiries.

Kuffour's cousin, Nana Bonsu, was at the house when the tragedy happened.

He said the family was packing in readiness for a trip to Kuffour's home city of Kumasi when the child walked out unnoticed.

God gives and he takes.... I am grateful for whatever has happened Sammy Kuffour

He believes the little girl was attracted by balloons floating on the water, and fell in as she tried to grab them.

A distraught Kuffour arrived back in Ghana just hours after having returned to Bayern to restart training following the winter break.

The German club chartered a plane to get him home as quickly as possible.

The player has been drawing on his deep religious belief to help him deal with the tragedy.

He said: "God gives and he takes. I am grateful for whatever has happened. The Lord knows best".

He described Godiva as his "little gorgeous", and said her memory would forever remain in his heart.

"It's a calamity - my baby was such a lovely girl who always gave me joy and happiness," he said.

"But I pray by the grace of God I should be able to overcome it and face the future with a renewed vigour and strength."

Kuffour said he would draw strength from the experience of Senegal captain Aliou Cisse at Birmingham City, who lost 14 relatives in the Joola ferry disaster last year.