Ghana’s senior men’s national football team, the Black Stars, is gearing up for a high-stakes Asian tour featuring two international friendlies against powerhouses Japan and South Korea.
These matches, part of the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup and broader preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, come amid squad shake-ups due to injuries to stars like Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, and others. Coach Otto Addo has injected fresh talent, including debutants Prince Kwabena Adu, Kelvin Nkrumah, and Prince Osei Owusu, to test options ahead of the global showpiece.
The tour kicks off with the team’s arrival in Japan on November 11-12, followed by training sessions in Nagoya and Aichi to acclimatize to the conditions. Here’s the full breakdown of the schedule:
Friday, November 14
Ghana vs Japan (Kirin Challenge Cup Friendly)
Toyota Stadium, Aichi
7:00 PM JST
10:00 AM GMT
November 15
Travel to South Korea
From Japan to Seoul
November 16-17
Training Sessions
Tuesday, November 18
Ghana vs South Korea (International Friendly)
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
7:00 PM KST
10:00 AM GMT
These evening kickoffs in Asia translate to convenient morning viewing slots for fans back home in Ghana.
The Japan clash at Toyota Stadium will see the Black Stars face a Samurai Blue side already locked in for the 2026 World Cup, while the Seoul showdown against the Taeguk Warriors – who stunned Ghana 3-2 at Qatar 2022 – promises revenge and tactical insights.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed the squad’s first training session begins today (November 11) in Accra before departure, with the full group assembling abroad. Despite the absences, Addo remains optimistic: “This tour is about building depth and resilience.”
Tickets for both matches go on sale soon via local platforms and the stadium websites.
Tune in via GFA broadcast partners for live coverage – these could be pivotal in shaping Ghana’s World Cup path. Up the Stars!
