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Five things we learned from BlackStars against Japan and South Korea games

Published

12 months ago

November 19, 2025

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

The Black Stars of Ghana finished the Kirin Cup tournament with no wins from two games.

The team lost 2-0 to Japan on Friday and followed it up with another loss to South Korea.

For some, it was an exercise in futility as the team failed to make the most of the November break, but Otto Addo and his technical team will strongly fend off those suggestions.

In the aftermath of the two games, these are some observations I have sampled for you to munch on.

The System.

We played Japan with a five-man back line, switching to a more liberal back 3 when the team transitions to attack. In that span, the team lacked cohesion, fluidity, and creativity. The team had seven shots on target, with just two on target for the whole game. How do you win games if you don’t create to score? I know in Otto’s defense, he will say his regulars (Jordan, Partey, Kudus, Fatawu, Inaki) were unavailable. What if we lose all these regulars to injuries? It’s football; anything is feasible. The ones that step in should be well-baked to taste as good as the former; what’s the point if the ones that come in are unable to do the job? It means you didn’t select or recruit right from the national pool.Do better.

In the game against South Korea, the Black Stars again fell, but it was a massive improvement over what we saw against Japan. They went for a back four system. You could see the pattern, structure, telepathy, the zeal from the boys to make an impact. In fact, before, Lee Tae-Seok headed Korea into the lead. Prince Osei Owusu teed up Prince Kwabena Adu for the opener, but it was flagged offside. His composure, steeze, and confidence to score that goal were reminiscent of the early days of Asamoah Gyan. The boys did well against South Korea.

Caleb Yirenkyi is a man on a mission.

Caleb Yirenkyi debuted for the Black Stars in May 2025 during the Unity Cup semifinal against Nigeria. Even though the team lost that duel to its noisy neighbors, the young gem drew a lot of praise from fans, marking the start of something positive after his inclusion in the squad.

In the two games against Japan and South Korea, he showed up and executed the task perfectly.

There were several instances of the game where he received passes from deep, maneuvered his way from danger, and still managed to keep the attack going. This trait is rare among Ghanaian midfielders. If there is someone who has this press resistant trait, it’s Villareal midfielder, Thomas Partey which the young man bodied so beautifully. The 19-year-old showed Otto Addo and fans that he can be an option in midfield should there be a need to tinker with midfield options in the future.

If there is something he needs to work on, it will have to do with that sheer adrenaline rush. If he managed to balance that potion, he could lace it with his other technical qualities and perform magic on the field.

Blunt Attack

In two games, the Black Stars lost to Japan and South Korea, but the other glaring factor was the lack of goals. The team failed to score a goal in those two games. A total of 15 shots with 4 on target is not a good feat for the team in the lead-up to the World Cup, where other participating countries are scoring for fun.

I have noticed how cautious and careful Otto Addo sets up his team. Most of the attacking players are stifled and unable to create and score something that the technical team needs to work on if the team wants to progress in the global tournament.

The game has evolved to a point where teams are set up to aid the attackers in scoring. Otto’s system doesn’t route to that note; I feel the attacking players have to be handed the free will to operate in the game.

Prince Kwabena Adu

The Kirin Cup 2025 saw most of the first team regulars pull out for one reason or another other but that didn’t stop the technical team from handing call-ups to several players in the lead-up to the World Cup in June 2026.

Since Asamoah Gyan called time on his career, his position as the arrowhead has undergone several phases with players such as Jordan Ayew, Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Kwame Opoku, and Mohammed Fuseini. All these players have their own attributes and what they contribute to the game at which time of it, but the inclusion of Prince Kwabena Adu to the squad brought something different. He was relentless in his pressing; his hold up was very good, and he even had his goal flagged for offside.

He may not be a finished product, but he can be the final piece in the jigsaw ahead of the World Cup.

Joseph Anang Tetteh was in post for the team against Japan, he conceeded two goals then Benjaimen Asare was back in action against South Korea, he conceded just a goal. He made several crucial saves to keep the team in the game, it goes without saying he pulled off a heroic save for Hee-Chang Hwang’s penalty.

The Hearts of Oak goalkepper might have his lapses but i think his strength outweighs his weakness which is best we tap into ahead of the World Cup.

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Match Review : Hearts of Oak 3-0 Hearts of Lions

Published

4 minutes ago

November 8, 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

Accra Hearts of Oak delivered a dominant performance against Heart of Lions.

The Phobians produced a scintillating first-half performance to defeat the visitors.

Ransford Mensah opened the scoring in the 2nd minute following a well-worked team effort.

In the 25th minute, the home team was awarded a free-kick, which John Antwi converted to score his first goal of the day and his side’s second.

On the stroke of half-time, Antwi was on hand to complete his brace, sealing a comfortable victory.

The Phobians controlled proceedings throughout the first half.

The second half was a more subdued affair; they rarely threatened to score further but still dominated most of the play.

The result sees them occupy second spot with 20 points from 10 games.

They travel away to Samreboi to face Samartex in their next Ghana Premier League encounter

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Match Preview: Medeama SC vs All Blacks

Published

19 hours ago

November 7, 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

Defending champions Medeama SC will be at home to Swedru All Blacks at the TNA Stadium in Tarkwa.

The home team has been excellent at home, winning all four of its games while scoring nine and conceding just two, which makes them a formidable side at home.

They are returning home following a 1-1 draw with Asante Kotoko in Kumasi.

The Black Magicians were on a three-match winning run, but it came to a crashing halt following a 2-1 loss to AshantiGold last weekend.

They would hope to give a good account of themselves in Tarkwa.

Prediction: Medeama SC 2-0 Swedru All Blacks

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Match Preview & Prediction: Bibiani Gold Stars vs Aduana Stars

Published

19 hours ago

November 7, 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

Bibiani Gold Stars will host Aduana Stars at Dun’s Park in Bibiani.

Both teams are at opposite ends of the league table.

The Miners have struggled for consistency in the league so far, so it is hardly surprising that they occupy 15th spot with 10 points, just above the relegation zone – quite unusual for a former league champion.

Aduana have picked three wins from five games in the league.

Their most recent win was against the regional rivals, Berekum Chelsea through an Amankona brace.

They will hoping to repeat the dosage against a difficult opponent, Goldstars.

Bar Hearts of Oak, they are the second best defensive side in the league, with just 5 goals conceded.

Prediction: Gold Stars 2-1 Aduana Stars

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Match Preview & Prediction: Berekum Chelsea vs Asante Kotoko

Published

19 hours ago

November 7, 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

Golden City Park will witness one of the weekend’s top fixtures between Berekum Chelsea and Kotoko in week ten of the 2026/7 Ghana Premier League.

Berekum Chelsea have endured a torrid campaign so far, having secured just three wins from nine games in the lead-up to their clash against the Porcupine Warriors.

They lost to Aduana Stars last weekend and will need to step up against the Kumasi-based club, who are coming to town for what promises to be a cliffhanger.

They sit 11th with 11 points from nine games, scoring 10 and conceding 11.

Meanwhile, the former champions have underwhelmed this season.

They have gathered 13 points from nine games, scoring and conceding 10 goals apiece.

The Porcupine Warriors are still seeking consistency, which will make this a dicey game at Golden City Park.

Prediction: Berekum Chelsea 1-1 Asante Kotoko