Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has clarified the absence of several senior Black Stars players from the squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Japan and South Korea, emphasizing that the decision was strategic and health-conscious, not logistical.

Stars Who Are Out:

Key players left out of the travelling squad include:


  • Jordan Ayew

  • Thomas Partey

  • Abdul Fatawu Issahaku

  • Joseph Paintsil

  • Mohammed Kudus

  • Alexander Djiku

FA’s Clarification

Speaking on Asempa FM, Asante Twum stated:

“Absentees from the Black Stars squad… are due to legitimate reasons and not the travelling distance. Some players need rest, others are nursing injuries.”

He added that the technical team had long identified new talents, and the friendlies offer a perfect platform to test them.

New Faces Called Up


  • Kelvin Nkrumah (Medeama SC)

  • Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen)

  • Prince Osei Owusu (CF Montréal)

These players have been on the radar of Otto Addo’s staff and now have the chance to stake their claim ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Kirin Cup Fixtures

Japan vs Ghana


  • Date: November 14, 2025

  • Venue: Toyota Stadium, Aichi

  • Time: 10AM GMT

South Korea vs Ghana

  • Date: November 18, 2025

  • Venue: Seoul World Cup Stadium

  • Time: 10AM GMT

The Black Stars opened camp on Wednesday, Nov 12, and are expected to hold their first training session today, with a focus on tactical cohesion and squad experimentation.