The Black Stars of Ghana are safely in Japan ahead of the 2022 edition of the four-nation Kirin Cup Soccer tournament, but with a depleted squad.
Coach Otto Addo – who had a pool of about 35 players to choose from – has been left to make do with 18 players after completing their June batch of games against Madagascar and the Central African Republic (CAR) in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
After Sunday’s 1-1 draw with the CAR in Angola, 16 players formed part of the contingent that travelled via Ethiopian Airlines from Luanda to Osaka where they were joined by two more – Hearts of Oak forward Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Bochum winger Christopher Antwi-Adjei.
LIST: 18-man Black Stars squad for 2022 Kirin Cup Soccer
The GFA officially sort to give an explanation for the squad depletion Thursday morning:
“Some players have been ruled out of the 2022 Kirin Cup in Japan for varied reasons ranging from injuries, illness and other personal issues.
“It’s been a long hard season and some players came into the squad with minor injury issues which is normal in football. There were other players that played against Madagascar and Central African Republic but were originally not part of the plan for the tournament in Japan as the technical staff decided to give other players the opportunity in Kirin tournament.
“To that end, 18 players are currently in camp in Kobe for the competition which kicks off on Friday, June 10, 2022 – with Ghana set to face the host in the opening match.”
Below is a summary of the players who were on the trip to Angola but could not join the team to Japan.
- Jojo Wollacott – Not in plans for Kirin Cup
- Jonathan Mensah – Injury from CAR game
- Gideon Mensah – Injury from CAR game
- Osman Bukari – Emergency Family issue
- Daniel-Kofi Kyereh – Excused to sort out an impending transfer
- Joseph Paintsil – Injury from CAR game
- Elisha Owusu – Groin injury before CAR game
- Kamaldeen Sulemana – Not in plans for Kirin Cup per agreement with his club
- Baba Iddrisu – Excused to sort out an impending transfer
- Abdul Mumin – Injury
- Denis Odoi –
