Ghana head coach Otto Addo says the upcoming Kirin Cup clash against Japan is a valuable opportunity for his young squad to prove themselves, despite the absence of several senior players, including Mohammed Kudus.
Speaking to the Japanese press ahead of the match in Nagoya, Addo acknowledged the team’s inexperience but expressed confidence in their hunger and potential to compete at the highest level.
“We have a lot of young, hungry players on board. On bad days, we can struggle, but on good days, we can beat anyone,” Addo said.
“This match gives us the chance to use players we haven’t seen much of. We’re sorry Kudus and some of our key players couldn’t show up due to injuries, but this is an opportunity for some of the new players to secure their spot in the team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
The Black Stars face Japan on Friday, November 14, in their first friendly of the Asian tour before taking on South Korea four days later in Seoul.
Addo, who led Ghana to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, has named a largely youthful side for the Kirin Cup tournament, a move he believes is crucial for building squad depth ahead of next year’s global showpiece.
