Black Stars Face Fitness Hurdles Ahead of Kirin Cup Clash with Japan: Otto Addo Cautious on Salisu and Asare
As the Black Stars gear up for their opening match in the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup against a formidable Japan side, head coach Otto Addo has tempered expectations with updates on lingering injury concerns and travel fatigue affecting key squad members Mohammed Salisu and Benjamin Asare.
In a pre-match press briefing held on Thursday, November 13, Addo addressed the media on the defensive duo’s readiness, revealing that both players joined the camp late, potentially impacting their involvement.
“We have some injury concerns with Mohammed Salisu,” Addo stated, detailing how the AS Monaco centre-back sustained a knock during his last club outing in France, necessitating treatment that delayed his arrival until Wednesday.
“He was getting some treatment, and that’s why he came late. We will see today if he can train,” the coach added, emphasizing a cautious approach to avoid exacerbating the issue ahead of this crucial friendly.
Salisu, a cornerstone of Ghana’s backline with his commanding presence and aerial prowess, has been a mainstay in recent squads, including the triumphant 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
His potential absence or limited minutes could force Addo to shuffle the defense, with options like Alexander Djiku or Jonas Adjetey stepping up.
Compounding the challenges is the status of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, the Hearts of Oak shot-stopper who has impressed with his composure in domestic and international duties.
Addo noted that Asare’s fitness to start remains unconfirmed due to the grueling transcontinental journey from Ghana and the resulting jet lag. “The time differences and long travel would be factors in assessing his readiness,” the coach explained, highlighting the logistical strains of assembling an international squad across time zones.
Asare, who earned plaudits for a clean sheet in his Black Stars debut earlier this year, arrived alongside Salisu on Wednesday, leaving limited time for acclimatization.
Despite these setbacks, Addo remains optimistic about the team’s depth and hunger. The youthful contingent, bolstered by the recent World Cup qualification euphoria, includes retained stars like captain Jordan Ayew, Gideon Mensah, and Alidu Seidu in defense, while the goalkeeping department features Joseph Wollacott and Lawrence Ati-Zigi as reliable backups.
Absences of high-profile attackers like Mohammed Kudus, sidelined by a club injury, have opened doors for fringe players to shine in this preparatory doubleheader, which also features a subsequent friendly against South Korea.df9ec6
Japan, fresh off a stunning 3-2 upset over Brazil, presents a stern test for Addo as he fine-tunes tactics for the 2026 World Cup cycle. “This will be a difficult test, especially given their form,” Addo acknowledged, but he expressed confidence in the group’s quality to rise to the occasion.9c515e
Fans back home are urged to tune in for live coverage starting at 12:00 PM GMT, with kickoff at 7:00 PM local time in Japan. Updates on Salisu and Asare’s training sessions will be monitored closely, as their availability could prove pivotal in Ghana’s bid to build momentum on the global stage.
The Black Stars’ camp in Yokohama continues to buzz with determination, embodying Addo’s vision of resilience amid adversity.
