After days of anticipation and mounting speculation, Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has finally unveiled Ghana’s 22-man squad for the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup in Asia. The announcement came on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, setting the stage for two high-profile friendlies against Japan and South Korea.

The squad list brought both excitement and surprise, as several household names were left out, including captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, and Mohammed Kudus, all sidelined for various reasons. Their absence, however, opens the door for emerging stars eager to make their mark on the international scene.

Among the headline selections are Brandon Thomas-Asante, Ghana’s in-form striker from Coventry City, and Antoine Semenyo, the Liverpool-linked Bournemouth forward, both expected to lead the attack.

Otto Addo has also injected fresh blood into his lineup, handing debut call-ups to Prince Osei Owusu (CF Montréal), Kevin Nkrumah (Medeama SC), and Prince Adu Kwabena (Viktoria Plzeň). Their inclusion signals the coach’s intent to blend youth and hunger with experience.

Additionally, Abu Francis makes a welcome return after recovering from injury, while Derrick Kohn, the Union Berlin left-back, earns his long-awaited place following his successful nationality switch.

The Black Stars will face Japan on Friday, November 14 at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi, before traveling to Seoul to take on South Korea on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in what promises to be two vital tests ahead of a packed 2026 season.

Otto Addo’s selection reflects a renewal of strategy — a mix of experimentation, youth promotion, and tactical flexibility as Ghana continues to refine its identity ahead of major tournaments.

🗓️ Ghana’s Kirin Cup 2025 Fixtures:
🇯🇵 Japan vs Ghana – Friday, November 14 | Toyota Stadium, Aichi
🇰🇷 South Korea vs Ghana – Tuesday, November 18 | Seoul World Cup Stadium