Charles Taylor labeled former German trainer Hans Dieter Schmidt as Kotoko’s cause for CAF Confederation Cup defeat in 2004
Charles Taylor, former super star of Ghana duo Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, has blame German trainer Hans Dieter Schmidt for Kotoko defeat to rivals Hearts in the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup final.
Charles Taylor switched camp from the Accra Sports Stadium to Baba Yara Stadium in 2003 and made a historical final with Kotoko against Hearts in the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup a year later.
A Kotoko team that comprises of Taylor lost the maiden cup final to Hearts 7-8 on penalties at Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium after both legs have all ended in 1-1 draw.
In the first leg, Michael Osei put Kotoko ahead on 61th minute before former Black Stars striker Prince Tagoe leveled for Hearts in stoppage time (90).
In the second leg, Charles Taylor tame his former side early in the second half, opening the scores just six minutes into the game but Adjah-Tetteh cancelled out when it was nine minutes to full time.
Later, Charles Taylor who had suck-in Hearts defenders for the benefit of Kotoko was substitute by the then former manager Hans Dieter Schmidt giving Hearts the confidence to push for the equalizer on the 81st minute.
Taylor has labeled blame on his former coach Dieter Schmidt for substituting the former Black Stars wide man causing the Porcupine Warriors to the cup final loss.
“It was his (Hans-Dieter Schmidt) fault that’s why we lost, I don’t know what he saw, and I don’t know why he had to substitute me from the game,” he told GTV Sports+.
Arch-rivals Hearts of Oak triumphed over the Kumasi based outfit at their own backyard after edging them on penalties.
“Perhaps Hearts of Oak did something to him to make him change me because I personally don’t know why he had to change me,” Taylor continued.
“I had scored and I was in control, I thought I was going to finish the game. If not for that my change we would have won the game but the Coach decided to change me.
“He later on came to apologize for making that substitution. But is past and gone, it still in my memory though.”
Before his move to Kotoko, Charles Taylor formed a formidable side with team-mates at Hearts and lifted the 2000 CAF Champions League against Esperance de Tunis.
