Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has called for his team to improve after the Black Stars fell 2-0 to a clinical Japan side in the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup at Toyota Stadium in Aichi on Friday, November 14.
“It’s a deserved win for Japan. We have a lot of learning ahead of us and we need to improve.”
“I think there are a lot of learnings; we really need to learn how to get out of high pressing. We need to hold the ball better upfront and be better on second balls especially when we have to play long”
The match, part of Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, exposed defensive vulnerabilities and was marred by a serious ankle injury to Toulouse midfielder Francis Abu just minutes into the second half.
The 25-year-old Toulouse midfielder twisted his ankle awkwardly while attempting to block a shot from Japan’s Ao Tanaka.
He received immediate treatment and was stretchered off in visible pain, replaced by Seidu. Addo described the injury as “really, really serious,” expressing concern and praying for a positive recovery. Tanaka approached the Ghana bench to apologize after the incident.
Abu, a Right to Dream Academy graduate, has faced recurring fitness challenges but had earned a growing role at Toulouse, appearing in eight Ligue 1 matches this season. The French club issued a statement pledging full support: “We will be by your side to help you recover as quickly as possible.”
Japan, led by captain Takumi Minamino, took control early with high pressing and sharp transitions. Minamino opened the scoring in the 16th minute after a Ghanaian turnover, finishing calmly past debutant goalkeeper Joseph Anang. Ritsu Doan doubled the lead in the 60th minute with a precise near-post strike following another lapse in defense.
Head coach Otto Addo fielded a youthful lineup, giving first caps to Anang and left wing-back Derrick Kohn, while Antoine Semenyo captained the side.
Ghana struggled to maintain possession and failed to capitalize on limited chances, including a deflected effort from Brandon Thomas-Asante and a wide shot from Kohn.
Late substitutions of Alidu Seidu, Prince Kwabena Adu, Gideon Mensah, and Christopher Baah Bonsu brought fresh energy but could not change the outcome.
Addo acknowledged Japan’s superiority but emphasized learning opportunities for his young squad. “We need to learn how to get out of high pressing, hold the ball better upfront, and be stronger on second balls,” he said.
He also noted the impact of injuries and new player combinations, adding that the team rarely trained together prior to the match. Despite the loss, Anang and Kohn showed promise in their debuts.
The match took a somber turn in the 56th minute when Francis Abu suffered a severe leg injury. Initial assessments suggest a lengthy absence.
Attention now shifts to Tuesday’s friendly against South Korea on November 18, the final match of Ghana’s Asia tour. These encounters against Japan and South Korea are designed to test tactical adaptability and squad resilience ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Addo remains focused on development, viewing the trip as a valuable step despite the setbacks. The Black Stars also played without government funding, highlighting ongoing financial constraints faced by the Ghana Football Association.