St. Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper Joseph Anang has been handed his long-awaited debut start for the Black Stars in their high-profile Kirin Cup encounter against Japan on Friday in Nagoya.
The 25-year-old shot-stopper steps in for Ghana’s current first-choice goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, as Head Coach Otto Addo looks to assess squad depth and offer opportunities to emerging talents ahead of next year’s major competitions.
Anang, a former West Ham United goalkeeper, has been a regular feature in Black Stars call-ups since May 2025 but had yet to make his senior appearance. Friday’s match offers him the platform to establish himself among Ghana’s goalkeeping options.
The young goalkeeper has enjoyed an excellent year at St. Patrick’s Athletic, earning widespread praise in the Irish Premier Division. He kept an impressive 18 clean sheets in 36 league matches, proving crucial to his club’s campaign. On the continental stage, Anang featured in six Europa Conference League games, conceding nine goals but recording three clean sheets, underscoring his potential at the highest level.
Anang's shot-stopping ability, composure under pressure and rapid improvement have not gone unnoticed. His debut comes at a time when the technical team is evaluating competition for places as Ghana intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars face Japan in what promises to be a demanding test against an energetic and technically gifted Asian powerhouse.
Following the match in Nagoya, Ghana will travel to Seoul to take on South Korea four days later, completing an important international window designed to strengthen team chemistry and assess tactical variations.
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