Head coach of the Black Stars of Ghana, Charles Kwablan Akonnor has named his all-time XI for the senior national team.
Akonnor played 41 times for the Black Stars and was captain for three years after Abedi Pele’s retirement.
According to the former AshGold and Wolfsburg star, his selection is based on the players who had excelled both for the national team and in Europe.
“It comes with criteria. You must have to have played very well here. [In the] AFCON, you must excel and then Europe,” Akonnor told Joy FM’s Benedict Owusu in an interview.
The squad selected by the coach is based on players who featured from the 1990s to the modern era.
‘The old players must excuse me. I am doing this from the 90s. I didn’t see a majority of them so they should excuse me.’
Among the players he listed, he stated that Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’ is the most distinguished footballer he has seen and played with.
“Out of this category, the person who really was distinguished is Abedi Pele. As a colt’s 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.”
The former Asante Kotoko coach started with former Wigan goalkeeper, Richard Kingson between the sticks. Richard Kingson is Ghana’s second-highest capped players.
Akonnor went ahead to pick former Asante Kotoko right-back Frank Amankwah and former Anderlecht left-back, Isaac Asare as his full-backs.
In the heart of the defence, he chose Champions League winner, Samuel Osei Kuffuor and former Kotoko defender, Frimpong Manso.
In what looks like a 4-4-2 formation, the former Black Stars player picked Michael Essien and Stephen as his central midfielders. According to Akonnor, one cannot do without the duo because of their level of influence to the next generation.
“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.” He said.
To provide width to his team, C.K Akonnor picked two AFCON winners, Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’ and Mohammed Polo.
Completing the squad, the Black Stars head coach opted for Anthony Yeboah and Ghana’s leading all-time goal poacher, Asamoah Gyan.
The ex- Fortuna Köln player then selected “The Maestro”, Abedi Pele as the captain of his team says he “will be the number 12”.
“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.”
C. K Akonnor played for the Black Stars of Ghana from 1991 to 2001, featuring 41 times and scored 12 goals for the team.
He is currently the head coach of the senior national team, taking over from James Kwesi Appiah in January 2020.