Kotoko calm on Taylor saga

After dining and wining on cloud nine following the news of Charles Taylor’s recruitment, supporters of Kumasi Asante Kotoko felt totally deflated when the news broke out last Thursday that the mercurial performer is on his way to Europe to pursue a professional career.

“Another Don Bortey?” one fan queried, referring to a similar story involving Bernard Don Bortey two seasons ago when the Hearts of Oak offensive star surfaced in Kumasi and declared to the whole world his new love for Kotoko only to collect a few millions of cedis and return to Accra, never to be seen in Kumasi.

There was great euphoria in Kumasi last week when Charles Taylor pitched camp at the Kotoko training ground. The Management of Hearts, however, were unequivocal in their stance that they would never release Taylor under any circumstance since he had a contractual obligation with them for the next three years.

But it was becoming increasingly clear to the Hearts fraternity that Taylor was unwilling to don the rainbow colours again. Hearts had to be smart. And they had the men to do the thinking. Taylor has been promised a deal in Sweden and is expected to leave any moment from now. But he first has to prove himself in Sweden as nothing is certain.

Meanwhile, the Management of Kotoko remain calm in the face of the obvious disappointment. They still harbour the belief that Taylor, tired of justifiers, will stay in Ghana and play for them. How they wish to achieve that is unclear since Hearts have made no secret their intentions to prevent him from playing for any other club than Hears in Ghana.

The purported contract between Taylor and his ‘manager’ Jonathan Laryear, which empowers the latter to be present at any contractual dealing with the player has been described as bogus and a nullity since the said Jonathan is neither a GFA nor FIFA agent. But the question has been asked as to why Hearts decided to deal with him in the first place three seasons ago when he was no FIFA agent.

Meanwhile, Charles Taylor drew cheers from fans at the Accra Sports Stadium when he appeared at the Accra Sports Stadium during a friendly match between the Accra club and Power F/C.

Dressed in a pair of faded jeans trousers and a skin-tight leopard skin nylon tunic top, the player arrived the stadium at about 3:30 pm in the company of Isaac Tetteh, Managing Director of T.T. Brothers. Six hefty looking men who appeared to be security operatives accompanied them as they took their seats at the Upper Terrace soon after arrival.

After about a quarter of an hour in the stands, during which spectators shouted his name and cheered in appreciation of his return, Tetteh led Taylor into the inner perimeter where he met and fraternised with his colleagues who were warming up for the match.

Taylor chattered with Tommy Okine, Chief Executive of Hearts and Steve Akwettey who showed signs of excitement at the return of the 'prodigal striker.' The SWAG player of the year moved freely thereafter when he realised that his security was not in doubt as rumours spread that he would be a second half substitute.

Mr Tetteh told the GNA Sports that he decided to send Taylor to the stadium to end speculations about his departure from Hearts, adding that as a staunch Hearts supporter, he felt obliged to render a little bit of service to the club by guaranteeing that Taylor remains with the team.

He said he persuaded the striker to play in the match against Power and even though the technical team agreed to feature him and the player too was willing to play, there were no kits he could use, hence his absence from the match.

Coach Hebert Addo who appeared happy about the return of his most prized player however said, "Taylor did not return because he did not go anywhere."

Hearts and Kotoko have been tugging each other within the last fortnight over Charles Taylor. While the Accra team claims the 'Sefwi Pele' has a valid contract with them, Kotoko are reported to have made him sign 'something in Kumasi' and promised him 400 million cedis, a brand new V.W. Golf car and free accommodation if he joined them.

Taylor had been absent at Hearts' training since he played below expectation in the L.G. Top 4 tournament in Kumasi where Kotoko beat Hearts 2-0. He also failed to make an appearance in the return leg in Accra as Hearts missed begging chances and the match ended in a barren draw.