Former Asante Kotoko striker, Michael Osei, affectionately known as Ember Power, has narrated how losing the CAF Confederations Cup final to Hearts of Oak in 2004 brought his career at Kotoko to an abrupt end.
According to him, he viewed the final as his last opportunity to win a continental laurel for the Porcupines after losing the CAF Champions League final two years prior.
Speaking with Dan Kwaku Yeboah on YouTube, he stated that losing the trophy to arch-rivals Hearts of Oak shattered his will to stay at Kotoko because he believed his dream of winning a continental title was out of reach.
“After the match, I felt my time was up. I lost two finals. I lost to Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) in 2002 (CAF Winners Cup final) and decided to win a trophy for Kotoko and break the ’82 record. I waited another two years and lost to nobody but our rivals Hearts of Oak. I didn’t decide to retire after that match; I just decided to leave Kotoko because there was nothing left to play for,” he said.
Asante Kotoko were inches away from lifting the trophy at the expense of their fierce rival Accra Hearts of Oak until the unexpected unfolded before the eyes of the home fans.
Kotoko, who had drawn 1-1 in the first leg, led the majority of the second leg through a Charles Taylor goal. However, Lawrence Adjah Tetteh put a dagger through the hearts of the Reds with a late equalizer to send the game to penalties.
Taylor, who was the main man in attack for Kotoko, was substituted two minutes before Adjah Tetteh’s goal in the 81st minute.
Hearts of Oak went on to win 8-7 in the penalty shootout.
Michael Osei is touted as one of the most prolific strikers to have played for the Porcupine Warriors.
He spent five years at Kotoko from 2000 to 2005. He was the top scorer of the defunct CAF Winners Cup in 2002.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
