Derrick Kohn and Joseph Anang are set to make their long-awaited debuts for Ghana on Friday as Antoine Semenyo leads the Black Stars in an international friendly against Japan.
St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper Anang finally earns his first senior appearance after spending months in the squad without a cap, while Kohn starts at left-back following the successful completion of his nationality switch from Germany.
Their selection highlights Ghana’s ongoing commitment to blending fresh talent with established players as the team builds momentum toward the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Semenyo captains the side in the absence of senior figures such as Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey. Coach Otto Addo and his technical team see the Japan fixture as a crucial opportunity to gauge the group’s mentality, cohesion, and readiness for higher-stakes competition.
They have urged the younger players to seize the moment and prove they can meet the demands of international football.
For many of the newcomers, this match represents more than a debut—it is a chance to solidify their place in the squad ahead of upcoming qualifiers and potentially the World Cup itself.
The technical staff believes that exposing emerging players to strong opponents early will accelerate their development and deepen the team’s overall depth, an essential factor in navigating the demanding qualification schedule.
The friendly will take place at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi, kicking off at 7:20 pm local time in Japan (10:20 am in Ghana).