Retired Ghana Star Charles Taylor Opens Up on Encounter With Super Eagles Icon Who Threatened to Break His Leg

• Charles Taylor has added yet another nuance to the storied encounters between West African neighbours Ghana and Nigeria
• According to the former Hearts of Oak star, he was threatened by ex-Internazionale and AC Milan defender Taribo West following his amazing performance in a game between the two nations
• Taylor was given the nickname "Terror" by followers of the Ghana Premier League due to his dribbling skills which put the fear of God in defenders, leaving them in tatters

One-time Black Stars attacker Charles Taylor has revealed his unpleasant ordeal with ex-Super Eagles defender Taribo West.

Taylor, one of the finest footballers to have graced the Ghana Premier League, was a menace for most defenders during his prime, mesmerizing opponents with his bewitching trickery.

After helping Hearts of Oak conquer the continent and winning the top scorer award in the local top-flight, he was drafted into the Black Stars.

In one of the iconic games between West African rivals, Ghana and Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier, an in-form Taylor and his Hearts of Oak teammates were given a shot for the tough encounter in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

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"We [Hearts of Oak players] were surprised when they mentioned our names that we were the ones going to face Nigeria when Baffour Gyan was the only foreign-based player to join us," he said in an interview with Dan Kweku Yeboah TV on YouTube as quoted by Ghanaweb.

The said game ended goalless but Taylor recalled how he was starstruck when he met the superstars in the Nigeria team in real life.

"I was afraid when I saw Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, and the likes because they were playing for a big team in Europe and I was watching them on TV and that's the truth. And I remember discussing my fears with Ishmael Addo during the warmup."

Apparently, his performance was causing a major headache to the Nigerian team, which forced former Inter Milan defender Taribo West to issue a threat to him.

"But I overcame that fear when after the first half when I realized that the Nigerians were afraid of me. I remember Taribo West walked to me and asked the team I play for in Europe but upon telling him that I play for Hearts of Oak, he threatened to break my leg if I keep dribbling them,"

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Charles Taylor leaps to the defence of underfire Mohammed Salisu

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that ex-Black Stars attacker Charles Taylor has implored Ghanaians to tone down with criticisms of Southampton centre-half Mohammed Salisu.

Salisu's backlash has primarily stemmed from multiple reports suggesting the 22-year-old declined call-ups to the national teams, with many deeming his reluctance to play for Ghana as disrespect.

Hence the birth of the growing criticisms which has been fuelled by his unusual mistakes leading to a goal which was magnified in the 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea.