Ghana’s Black Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat to Japan in the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi on Friday. The international friendly formed part of Ghana’s ongoing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with head coach Otto Addo using the match to test new combinations and give opportunities to emerging players.
One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the debut of goalkeeper Joseph Anang, who was handed his first senior start. Forward Antoine Semenyo also wore the captain’s armband for the first time, marking a significant moment in his international career.
Anang made an early impact, producing a save in the 5th minute to deny Japan an opener. However, Ghana struggled to settle, and their defensive frailties were exposed in the 16th minute. After Semenyo lost possession in midfield, Japan quickly pounced on the loose ball. Former Liverpool midfielder and Japan captain Takumi Minamino received a precise through-ball before calmly guiding it past Anang to make it 1-0.
Ghana attempted to respond with several attacking moves. Brandon Thomas-Asante connected with a volley that took a deflection and went out for a corner, while Derrick Kohn tried his luck with a shot from distance that narrowly missed the target. Kohn also continued to contribute defensively, producing a crucial block to deny Japan what looked like a clear second goal.
Japan, however, eventually doubled their advantage around the hour mark. A swift attacking move ended with Ritsu Doan firing a sharp near-post finish beyond Anang, putting the hosts firmly in control.
The match took a worrying turn for Ghana early in the second half when midfielder Abu Francis suffered a serious injury while attempting a tackle. He was unable to continue, and the incident briefly halted the momentum of the Black Stars.
Japan created multiple chances to extend their lead but were let down by poor finishing, keeping the scoreline at 2-0.
Despite moments of individual brilliance from Ghana, Coach Otto Addo’s side struggled to maintain rhythm and cohesion, exposing areas that need improvement ahead of the World Cup.
The Black Stars will now shift their focus to their next international friendly against South Korea on November 18, as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
