Ghana defender Gideon Mensah has been ruled out of the Kirin tournament after testing positive for COVID-19.
The defender is one of five playerswho have contracted the virus and will be unable to compete in the tournament unless he fully recovers before the first match on Friday.
The Bordeaux left-back played in Ghana’s two games in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Central Africa Republic.
The RB Salzburg player was deployed at the center-back position in the game against Madagascar which he impressed.
Mensah traveled with the team to Japan for the four-nation tournament but tested positive and will miss the opening game against Japan on Friday.
According to the Ghana Football Association, Kirin Cup forms part of Black Stars’ preparations for the 2022 World Cup.
On Friday, June 10, Ghana will play Japan, with the winner facing either Chile or Tunisia in the final.
The loser will compete in the bronze medal match, which is scheduled for the same day as the final, June 14.
