Hearts of Oak Duo Afriyie Barnieh and Dennis Korsah Make Ghana Debut in Japan Heavy Defeat

• Dennis Korsah and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh were in action for the first time for Ghana against Japan in the Kirin tournament
• Korsah enjoyed 68 minutes of the game action before he was replaced by Fatawu Issahaku whiles Afriyie Barnieh started the game from the bench
• The Black Stars of Ghana were beaten 4-1 by Japan in their opening game of the Kirin tournament on Friday

Hearts of Oak players Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Dennis Korsah made their debuts for the Black Stars in the Kirin Cup against Japan on Friday morning.

Barnieh started the game from the bench and was introduced in the second half as a replacement for Andy Yiadom.

However, his club teammate, Korsah, was handed a starting role in the absence of Baba Rahman and Gideon Mensah, who were ruled out of the game due to various reasons.

Barnieh was recalled into the team for the four nations tournament after he was dropped for Ghana's 1-1 stalemate against the Central African Republic last Sunday.

Black Stars skipper Andre Ayew pays courtesy call on Ghana president Nana Akufo Addo

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But his debut for the Black Stars ended in a 4-1 defeat to Japan.

Despite the defeat, Barnieh and Korsah proved their worth in the game for the four-time African champions.

The duo will hope to maintain their spots in the national team as the 2022 World Cup tournament approaches.

Ghana Handed Reality Check After Heavy Defeat in Kirin Cup Opener Against Japan

Meanwhile, Ghana were humiliated in their opening game at the Kirin Cup after hosts Japan thumped the Black Stars at the Tokyo National Stadium.

The Black Stars suffered a 4-1 defeat to Japan following an abysmal display from a depleted Ghana side.

Coach Otto Addo was forced to change his team following ailment and injuries to most of his starters.

Japanese Football Fans Request Autographs From EPL Stars in Ghana Squad

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ghanaian duo, Daniel Amartey and Jordan Ayew, are popular figures in Japan as fans waited to get autographs from the pair.

Ghana Coach Otto Addo Satisfied With the Performance of Afriyie Barnieh and Augustine Okrah

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The fans, who seem to follow the English Premier League, waited patiently after the game between Ghana and Japan to get their shirts signed by the Leicester and Crystal Palace stars.

In photos posted on Twitter, Spotted by Sports Brief, fans held shirts and placards of the duo requesting their signatures.