Joel Kojo


Joel Kojo is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal. Born in Ghana, he plays for the Kyrgyzstan national team.

Club career

Alay

Kojo finished the [2018 Kyrgyzstan national football team|Kyrgyzstan League|2018 season] as the club's and the league's top scorer with 26 goals.

Dordoi Bishkek

On 11 January 2022, Dordoi Bishkek announced the signing of Kojo on a one-year contract.
Kojo finished the 2022 season as the club's top scorer, scoring 10 goals in the league and once in the Kyrgyzstan Super Cup. On 24 January 2023, Dordoi Bishkek announced the departure of Kojo following the expiration of his contract the previous November.

Dinamo Samarqand

On 27 February 2023, Uzbekistan Super League club Dinamo Samarqand announced the signing of Kojo on a one-year contract.
On 29 March 2023, Kojo scored a hat-trick for Dinamo Samarqand in their 3–0 victory over Navbahor Namangan-2.

Esteghlal

On 11 January 2025, Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal announced the signing of Kojo. He scored his first goal for the club on 3 February during the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite match against Iraqi club Al Shorta in a 1–1 draw.

International career

On 18 May 2023, Kojo was called up to the Kyrgyzstan national team for the first time as part of their 2023 CAFA Nations Cup squad.
On 16 June 2023, Kojo made his debut for Kyrgyzstan, coming on as a 58th minute substitute for Atay Dzhumashev in a 5–1 defeat to Iran.
On 11 September 2023, Kojo scored his first international goals in a friendly against Kuwait.
On 25 January 2024, Kojo scored the only goal for Kyrgyzstan in their 2023 AFC Asian Cup campaign in a 1–1 tie against Oman, a goal that directly killed off hopes of both his adopted country and Oman from advancing at the expense of Indonesia.
On 26 March 2024, Kojo scored his first international hat-trick during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Chinese Taipei in a 5–1 home win.

Personal life

Born in Ghana, Kojo is a Ghanaian Muslim. He was naturalized by Kyrgyzstan and joined the Kyrgyzstan national team after competing in that country for a long time.

Career statistics

International

Statistics accurate as of match played 5 September 2025
International goals
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.11 September 2023The Sevens Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates2–13–1Friendly
2.11 September 2023The Sevens Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates3–13–1Friendly
3.9 January 2024Al Egla Training Facility, Doha, Qatar1–02–1Friendly
4.25 January 2024Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar1–11–12023 AFC Asian Cup
5.26 March 2024Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan1–05–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.26 March 2024Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan2–05–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification
7.26 March 2024Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan3–05–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification
8.10 September 2024Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan1–02–32026 FIFA World Cup qualification
9.19 November 2024Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan1–22–32026 FIFA World Cup qualification
10.19 November 2024Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan2–22–32026 FIFA World Cup qualification
11.30 August 2025JAR Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan1–11–12025 CAFA Nations Cup

Honours

Alay
Dordoi Bishkek
Esteghlal
Neftchi Fergana
Individual