Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has clarified the reasons behind the omission of several senior Black Stars players from the squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Japan and South Korea.
Head coach Otto Addo has opted to rest key players such as Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, while handing opportunities to emerging talents including Kelvin Nkrumah, Prince Kwabena Adu, and Prince Osei Owusu.
Speaking to Asempa FM, Asante Twum explained that the decision was made collectively by the technical team and was based on legitimate considerations rather than travel-related issues.
“Absentees from the Black Stars squad for the Japan and South Korea friendly games are due to legitimate reasons and not the travelling distance,” he stated.
“We all agreed that some players need to rest, while others are recovering from minor injuries. This is also the right time to give new faces—who have been on the technical team’s radar for some time—an opportunity to prove their worth.”
He emphasized that the friendly matches are part of the team’s broader strategy to strengthen the squad and evaluate new talent ahead of next year’s competitive fixtures.
“These games are not just about results; they are about building something within the Black Stars setup. We want to assess and develop the best talents for the future,” Asante Twum added.
The Black Stars opened camp on Tuesday, November 11, and are scheduled to hold their first training session today.
Ghana will take on Japan in the Kirin Cup on Friday, November 14, before facing South Korea on Tuesday, November 18. Both matches form part of the team’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
