The Black Stars lost 2-0 to Japan in the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup at Toyota Stadium on Friday, November 14, 2025.
The Japanese side started the game by piling pressure on the Black Stars, controlling possession and dominating play.
A goal in both halves of the game from AS Monaco’s Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan of Eintracht Frankfurt delivered an emphatic victory for the Asian giants.
Kwasi Sibo was heavily overwhelmed in the game as he did not receive support from his midfield partners, which hampered their performance.
Augustine Arhinful blames Ghana’s defeat to Japan on the absence of Partey, Kudus and Jordan Ayew
The likes of Semenyo and Thomas-Asante did not have their best performances and failed to score.
Alidu Seidu and Gideon Mensah were introduced later in the game but could not make much impact to overturn the deficit.
The team will travel to face South Korea in their second friendly of the tour on November 18, 2025.
Check out the player ratings of the Black Stars players after the game:
Joseph Anang – 6.2
Caleb Yirenkyi – 6.5
Kojo Peprah – 6.2
Jonas Adjetey – 6.3
Jerome Opoku – 6.1
Derrick Kohn – 6.9
Francis Abu – 6.7
Kwasi Sibo – 6.4
Thomas Brandon-Asante – 5.9
Kamaldeen Sulemana – 6.0
Antoine Semenyo – 5.7
JE
