- Senior players like Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku were rested
- New talents such as Kelvin Nkrumah, Prince Kwabena Adu, and Prince Osei Owusu were included
- Exclusions were due to rest, injuries, and squad rotation—not travel distance
The Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has explained why several senior Black Stars players were left out of the squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Japan and South Korea.
Head coach Otto Addo omitted key names such as Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, opting to give opportunities to rising talents like Kelvin Nkrumah, Prince Kwabena Adu, and Prince Osei Owusu.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Asante Twum clarified that the exclusions were due to valid reasons, not because of the long travel distance to Asia.
“Players missing from the Black Stars squad for the Japan and South Korea friendlies are out for legitimate reasons, not due to travel concerns,” he stated. “We all agreed that some players needed rest, while others are recovering from injuries. The new faces have been on the technical team’s radar for a while, and this is a good chance for them to showcase their abilities.”
He further emphasized that the friendlies are part of a broader strategy to build a competitive and sustainable team for future tournaments.
“These games are meant to test new ideas within the team and evaluate emerging talents. We’re focused on developing the best possible squad for the future,” he added.
The Black Stars opened camp on Tuesday, November 11, and are set to hold their first training session today. Ghana will play Japan in the Kirin Cup on Friday, November 14, before facing South Korea on November 18 — both matches forming part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
