Seoul, South Korea – November 18, 2025
🏁 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 at the iconic Seoul World Cup Stadium: A good test and learning experience in Asia comes to an end. 👊🏾
🇰🇷 South Korea 1–0 Ghana 🇬🇭
#BlackStars
In a tightly contested international friendly as part of the 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup, Ghana’s Black Stars fell short against a resilient South Korean side, ending their brief but intense Asian tour on a reflective note. The solitary goal came in the 63rd minute from Lee Tae-Seok, who capitalized on a well-worked move to give the Taeguk Warriors the edge in front of a passionate home crowd. Despite the loss, the match served as a crucial benchmark for Otto Addo’s squad, fresh off qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and hungry to refine their tactics against top-tier opposition.
Pre-Match Buzz: Determination Amid Challenges
The Black Stars arrived in Seoul riding a mix of momentum and motivation. Having secured their World Cup spot with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros just days earlier, the team was eager to build cohesion during this strategic Asian excursion. However, the tour hadn’t been without hurdles—a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Japan in their opener highlighted areas for improvement, while injuries sidelined key contributors like Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Salisu, and Abu Francis, forcing Addo to shuffle his deck with just 19 players at his disposal.
Addo responded boldly, making six changes to the lineup that faced Japan. Between the posts, young goalkeeper Benjamin Asare earned a start, anchoring a defense featuring debutants Prince Owusu and Prince Kwabena Adu. In midfield, Caleb Yirenkyi added fresh energy, while the attack leaned on the pace and creativity of familiar faces like Ernest Nuamah and Osman Bukari. The confirmed starting XI read:
GK: Benjamin Asare
DEF: Denis Odoi, Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah, Patrick Agyemang
MID: Andy Yiadom, Caleb Yirenkyi, Salis Abdul Samed
FWD: Ernest Nuamah, Osman Bukari, Jonathan Sowah
The build-up was infused with national pride. Ghana’s Ambassador to South Korea, Kojo Choi—a fintech entrepreneur turned diplomat—paid a heartfelt visit to the team hotel, urging the players to “step onto the pitch with courage and discipline” and represent Ghana with unwavering honor. “You are not just athletes; you are ambassadors of our great nation,” Choi told the squad, boosting morale ahead of kickoff. The Black Stars’ routine team walk through Seoul’s streets earlier that morning symbolized unity, with players drawing strength from the city’s vibrant energy.
For South Korea, this was their final outing of 2025—a chance to solidify their FIFA ranking push under coach Hong Myung-bo. With stars like captain Son Heung-min (chasing the national scoring record) and forwards Oh Hyun-kyu and Cho Kyu-sung in the mix, the hosts entered motivated after a recent win, viewing the match as a dress rehearsal for their own World Cup ambitions.
Match Highlights: Grit, Drama, and a Late Surge
From the opening whistle, both teams probed cautiously, with Ghana emphasizing possession and quick transitions to counter South Korea’s technical discipline. The first half was a chess match—few clear chances, but the Black Stars showed promise. Nuamah’s darting runs down the left tested the Korean backline, while Yiadom’s overlapping surges added width. At the other end, Asare was alert, comfortably claiming early crosses.
The breakthrough arrived just after the hour mark. In the 63rd minute, a swift Korean counter exploited a momentary lapse in Ghana’s midfield. Lee Tae-Seok, the Ulsan Hyundai midfielder, latched onto a through-ball from Oh Hyun-kyu and slotted home past Asare with clinical precision—1-0. The stadium erupted, but Ghana refused to wilt.
Addo introduced subs to inject urgency: Kamaldeen Sulemana and Raymond Ati Zigi bolstered the flanks, and the Black Stars ramped up the pressure. The game’s turning point came in the 78th minute when South Korea earned a penalty after a VAR-reviewed foul in the box. Son stepped up, but Asare—making a compelling case for the No. 1 shirt—dived low to his right, parrying the shot away in a moment of pure heroism. Social media lit up with praise for the 22-year-old’s composure under the spotlight.
Ghana pushed hard in the dying embers, with Bukari forcing a stunning save from Jo Hyeon-woo and Sowah heading just wide from a Yiadom corner. But the Koreans’ defense, marshaled by Kim Min-jae, held firm. When the referee blew full time, the scoreline stood: South Korea 1, Ghana 0.
Key Takeaways: Resilience Over Result
Defeat stings, but this was no moral loss. For Addo, the match underscored Ghana’s growth in structure and adaptability—hallmarks of his tenure since returning last year. “We faced a quality side in a tough environment, and our response after conceding showed character,” the coach reflected post-match. The penalty save from Asare was a highlight, as was the debut poise of Owusu and Adu, signaling depth for the World Cup qualifiers ahead.
South Korea, meanwhile, celebrated a strong cap to their year, with Son’s near-miss from the spot a footnote to their overall dominance in set pieces and transitions. For Ghana, the tour—bookended by losses to Japan and Korea—provided invaluable exposure to diverse styles, far from the familiarity of African pitches. As Addo noted, “These games aren’t about wins alone; they’re about evolving.”
Looking Ahead: World Cup Dreams Beckon
With the Asian chapter closed, the Black Stars return home to regroup. Their next fixtures in the World Cup cycle loom large, but this Seoul sojourn leaves them sharper, hungrier, and united. As the dust settles on another chapter in Black Stars lore, one thing’s clear: Ghana’s journey to 2026 is fueled by lessons like these.
At Ahenfie Drums, we’re all about the rhythm of Ghanaian pride—beating strong even in defeat. Follow us for more on the Black Stars’ march forward. 🇬🇭✊ #BlackStars #GhanaFootball
Match Stats at a Glance:
• Possession: South Korea 52% – Ghana 48%
• Shots (On Target): South Korea 12 (4) – Ghana 9 (3)
• Corners: South Korea 6 – Ghana 4
• Fouls: South Korea 8 – Ghana 10
• Man of the Match: Benjamin Asare (Ghana) – For that game-changing penalty stop.
Sources: Ghana Football Association, GHANAsoccernet, and live match reports.
