Black Stars defender, Derrick Kohn
Union Berlin defender, Derrick Kohn has disclosed that he assured Ghana head coach Otto Addo that he will play for the Black Stars whenever called upon.
The left-back received his first senior national team invitation in August for Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali. However, his debut was delayed because of FIFA clearance.
Kohn was later included in the Black Stars squad for the Kirin Challenge Cup and finally made his international debut against Japan. Despite Ghana’s defeat in that match, the 26-year-old delivered a solid performance.
Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, Kohn explained that earlier attempts by the Ghana Football Association to secure his services did not materialise.
He revealed that he later reassured Otto Addo, then coach of Hamburg’s U-19 side of his readiness to represent the four-time African champions.
“I was not really connected to Ghana when I was young, so I was excited to play for Germany at the U19 level. Ghana made the first contact while I was playing in the Netherlands in 2020.”
“I was talking to them [GFA], but I don’t know, the conversation broke down, so I focused on my club.”
“With Otto Addo, the conversation started around 2024. I know Otto Addo because when I was at Hamburg, he was our U19 coach. So I told him I was ready to play for Ghana if he needed me,” Kohn added.
Kohn has enjoyed an impressive start to the ongoing 2025/26 season, making 15 appearances for Union Berlin and establishing himself as a key figure in the squad.
