Twenty Ghanaian stars have been included in the Confederation of African Football’s selected poll of players to be nominated the best African player of the last 50 years.

CAF has picked 200 players who have made an impact on the continent since its founding in 1957, with the selection based on performances at national and international level.

Only two members of Ghana’s twenty-man party - Michael Essien and Samuel Osei Kuffour are currently playing active football on the big stage.

Also there are only two members from Ghana - Malik Jabir and Abedi Ayew Pele whose performances earned them double nominations from the various decades of selection.

The period of selection spans from 1957 to 2006.

Players selected from Ghana are:

1957 – 1970
Edward Aggrey Finn, Cecil Jones Attuaquayefio, Malik Jabir, Osei Kofi, Robert Mensah, Wilberforce Mfum, Ibrahim Sunday and Baba Yara.

1970 – 1980
Opoku Afriyie, Adolf Armah, Joseph Carr, Malik Jabir,
Mohamed Polo and Karim Abdul Razak.

1980 – 1990
Albert Asase, Opoku Nti and Abedi Ayew Pele.

1990 – 2006
Abedi Ayew Pele, Michael Essien, Nii Odartey Lamptey, Samuel Osei Kuffour and Anthony Yeboah.

Followers of African football will be able to vote through CAF’s website ahead of the confederation’s fiftieth anniversary next year.

Fans can either pick a player from the list or nominate one of their own choice.

Each voter must explain in few lines the motives backing his or her choice. Only one player can be selected.

After the initial voting period expires on 15 November, CAF will reopen the debate in December but with only the top 50 nominees to choose from.

This poll will be open until 8 February, which is the date in 1957 when African football’s ruling body was founded.

The Confederation is planning several events to commemorate the date, including a youth tournament involving CAF's four founding members - Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa and Sudan.

Note: All votes should be sent to CAF by email to caf50@cafonline.com before 15th November 2006.