[ads1]
Black Stars of Ghana head coach CK Akonnor has named his best Black Stars XI without his name included.
The former Fortuna Koln player names the likes of Abedi Pele, Stephen Appiah, Asamoah Gyan and Micheal Essien in his team.
Akonnor explained the reasons behind the selection of the players and why he excluded himself in the starting line-up.
[ads2]
“It comes with a criteria. You must have to have played very well here. [In the] AFCON, you must excel and then Europe,” he explained.
“Out of this category, the person who really was distinguished is Abedi Pele.
“As a colts player in Falcons, I wasn’t there but we heard it. He played very well here, he conquered Africa and of course Europe as well.”
In posts, Akonnor chose former Wigan Athletic and Blackpool goalkeeper Richard Kingson who represented Ghana in the World Cup twice (2006, 2010).
READ ALSO: ‘I will not accept pay-cut’ – Eric Ofori Antwi
Former Asante Kotoko player Frank Amankwah and Anderlecht star Isaac Asare were chosen by CK Akonnor as the right and left backs respectively.
[ads3]
Akonnor explained: ”The old players must excuse me. I am doing this from the 90s. I didn’t see majority of them so they should excuse me.”
In the heart of defence is former Bayern Munich talisman Samuel Osei Kuffour partnering former Kotoko defender Frimpong Manso.
Akonnor chose Stephen Appiah and Micheal Essien as his central midfielders whilst Abedi Pele and Mohammed Polo form the wingers.
Explaining why he chose Stephen Appiah and Micheal Essien ahead of others, Akonnor said ”Stephen Appiah and Michael Essien. You can’t do without them. They are the people from the next generation they took over and they made Ghana proud.”
[ads4]
CK Akonnor went in for an attack of Asamoah Gyan who is Ghana’s all-time leading topscorer (51) and the African player with the highest number of goals in the FIFA World Cup (6) and former Eintracht Frankfurt and Leeds United forward Anthony Yeboah.
“Of course Maestro will be my captain,” he said, adding ”As for me, I will be the number 12 [12th man]. I always say that you don’t try to change me. When you bring me in, I will score. I am part of the substitutes.”
