Ghana coach CK Akonnor says he qualifies to be a substitute in his Black Stars Ultimate XI but includes deadly striker Anthony Yeboah and Asamoah Gyan.

The ex-Wolfsburg captain also listed dribbling wizard Mohammed Polo and three-time African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele.

Akonnor revealed this in an exclusive interview with Joy Sports where he based his selection on players who excelled for both club and country.

''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.''

Akonnor chose former Blackpool and Wigan goalkeeper Richard Kingson between the sticks.

At right-back and left-back he chose former Asante Kotoko player Frank Amankwah and former Anderlecht player Isaac Asare on the left.

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.''

Ex-Bayern Munich star Samuel Osei Kuffour, who won the UEFA Champions League in 2001, pairs former Kotoko defender Frimpong Manso as centre backs.

In central midfield, Akonnor selected Stephen Appiah and Michael Essien.

He 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.''

His wingers were Abedi Pele and Mohammed Polo.

Akonnor picked the country’s all-time top goalscorer Asamoah Gyan (51 goals) and former Eintracht Frankfurt and Leeds marksman 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.''