Ghana head coach Otto Addo has admitted his side paid the price for critical mistakes after the Black Stars fell 2–0 to Japan in the Kirin Cup on Friday, but he also praised the efforts of the young players introduced into the squad.
Speaking after the defeat, Addo explained that Ghana had anticipated Japan’s trademark quick transitions and had hoped to avoid the kind of turnovers that could expose them.
“We knew Japan was good at switching between offence and defence, so we didn’t want to lose the ball,” he said. “If we lost possession, Japan would rush forward and their ace striker would score. That’s how we conceded the first goal.”
The Black Stars struggled to settle into rhythm, with Japan capitalising on Ghana’s errors and maintaining control for much of the contest. Addo, however, emphasised that the match served as an important learning experience, especially for the newer members of the team.
“We brought in some young players and they did their best, but it didn’t translate into a good result,” he noted.
The fixture forms part of Ghana’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Addo using the Kirin Cup to test fresh options and deepen the squad’s depth. Ghana will next face South Korea as their Asian tour continues, with the technical team hoping for a sharper performance and a positive response to Friday’s setback.
