Joel Kojo
{{short description|Kyrgyz footballer (born 1998)}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Joel Kojo
| image = Kojo in Esteghlal.jpg
| caption = Kojo with Esteghlal
| fullname =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|8|21|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Accra, Ghana
| height = {{height|m=1.74}}{{Cite web |title=Joel Kojo |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/joel-kojo/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=worldfootball.net |language=en}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Esteghlal
| clubnumber = 11
| youthclubs1 = KK Adonteng Stars
| years1 = 2017–2021
| clubs1 = Alay
| caps1 = 59
| goals1 = 52
| years2 = 2021–2023
| clubs2 = Dordoi Bishkek
| caps2 = 35
| goals2 = 14
| years3 = 2023–2024
| clubs3 = Dinamo Samarqand
| caps3 = 41
| goals3 = 19
| years4 = 2025–
| clubs4 = Esteghlal
| caps4 = 11
| goals4 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2023–
| nationalteam1 = Kyrgyzstan
| nationalcaps1 = 23
| nationalgoals1 = 10
| club-update = 2 May 2025
| nationalteam-update = 19 November 2024
}}
Joel Kojo ({{langx|ru|Джоэл Коджо}}; born 21 August 1998) 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 season as the club's and the league's top scorer with 26 goals.{{cite web |title=Жоел Кожо из Ганы — лучший бомбардир чемпионата Кыргызстана по футболу (список) |url=http://sport.akipress.org/news:112578 |website=sport.akipress.org |publisher=Sport Akipress |access-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105065518/http://sport.akipress.org:80/news:112578 |archive-date=5 January 2020 |language=Russian |date=7 November 2018}}
= Dordoi Bishkek =
On 11 January 2022, Dordoi Bishkek announced the signing of Kojo on a one-year contract.{{cite web |title=Кожо Жоэл стал игроком "Дордоя" |url=http://fc-dordoi.kg/novosti/novosti-kluba/kozho-zhojel-stal-igrokom-ldordojar |website=fc-dordoi.kg |publisher=FC Dordoi Bishkek |access-date=18 June 2023 |language=Russian |date=11 January 2022 |archive-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618101756/http://fc-dordoi.kg/novosti/novosti-kluba/kozho-zhojel-stal-igrokom-ldordojar |url-status=live }}
Kojo finished the 2022 season as the club's top scorer, scoring 10 goals in the league and once in the Kyrgyzstan Super Cup.{{cite web |title=Кожо Жоэль - лучший бомбардир "Дордоя" в этом сезоне |url=http://fc-dordoi.kg/novosti/novosti-kluba/kozho-zhojel-luchshij-bombardir-ldordojar-v-jetom-sezone |website=fc-dordoi.kg |publisher=FC Dordoi Bishkek |access-date=18 June 2023 |language=Russian |date=18 November 2022 |archive-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618101759/http://fc-dordoi.kg/novosti/novosti-kluba/kozho-zhojel-luchshij-bombardir-ldordojar-v-jetom-sezone |url-status=live }} On 24 January 2023, Dordoi Bishkek announced the departure of Kojo following the expiration of his contract the previous November.{{cite web |title=Форвард из Ганы Кожо Жоэль покинул "Дордой" |url=http://fc-dordoi.kg/novosti/novosti-kluba/forvard-iz-gany-kozho-zhojel-pokinul-ldordojr |website=fc-dordoi.kg |publisher=FC Dordoi Bishkek |access-date=18 June 2023 |language=Russian |date=24 January 2023 |archive-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618101757/http://fc-dordoi.kg/novosti/novosti-kluba/forvard-iz-gany-kozho-zhojel-pokinul-ldordojr |url-status=live }}
= Dinamo Samarqand =
On 27 February 2023, Uzbekistan Super League club Dinamo Samarqand announced the signing of Kojo on a one-year contract.{{cite web |title=В"ДинамоВ" жамоаси Про лига янги мавсуми олдидан ўз сафига янги ўйинчиларни Т›ўшиб олишда давом этмоТ›да. |url=http://www.fcdinamo.uz/news/sections/club/4067 |website=fcdinamo.uz |publisher=FC Dinamo Samarqand |access-date=18 June 2023 |language=Uzbek |date=27 February 2023 |archive-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618101755/http://www.fcdinamo.uz/news/sections/club/4067 |url-status=live }}
On 29 March 2023, Kojo scored a hat-trick for Dinamo Samarqand in their 3–0 victory over Navbahor Namangan-2.{{cite web |title=Navbahor Farm 0-3 Dinamo |url=https://www.pfl.uz/uzb/match/15311 |website=pfl.uz |publisher=Uzbekistan Professional Football League |access-date=19 June 2023 |date=29 March 2023 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410043639/https://pfl.uz/uzb/match/15311 |url-status=dead }}
= Esteghlal =
On 11 January 2025, Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal announced the signing of Kojo.{{cite web |title=Here we go Joel Kojo |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DErW7_cMvhJ/ |website=instagram.com/esteghlal.fc.official/ |publisher=Esteghlal F.C. Instagram |access-date=13 January 2025 |date=11 January 2025}} 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.{{cite news |title=СПИСОК ИГРОКОВ, ВЫЗВАННЫХ В СБОРНУЮ КЫРГЫЗСТАНА |url=https://www.kfu.kg/ru/spisok-igrokov-vyzvannykh-v-sbornuiu-kyrgyzstana/show-news |access-date=18 June 2023 |publisher=Кыргызский футбольный союз |date=18 May 2023 |language=Russian |archive-date=9 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609180202/https://www.kfu.kg/ru/spisok-igrokov-vyzvannykh-v-sbornuiu-kyrgyzstana/show-news |url-status=live }}
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.{{cite web |title=Joel Kojo debuts for Kyrgyzstan in heavy defeat to Iran after ditching Ghana |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Joel-Kojo-debuts-for-Kyrgyzstan-in-heavy-defeat-to-Iran-after-ditching-Ghana-1787480 |website=ghanaweb.com |publisher=Ghana Web |access-date=18 June 2023 |date=17 June 2023 |archive-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618101755/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Joel-Kojo-debuts-for-Kyrgyzstan-in-heavy-defeat-to-Iran-after-ditching-Ghana-1787480 |url-status=live }}{{NFT player|pid=91272|name=Joel Kojo|access-date=19 June 2023}}
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 playing in Kyrgyzstan for his whole life.{{cite web |date=26 January 2024 |title=Akun Instagram Kojo Joel Striker Muslim Kyrgyzstan Diserbu Netizen Indonesia Pasca Samakan Kedudukan |url=https://priangan.tribunnews.com/2024/01/26/akun-instagram-kojo-joel-striker-muslim-kyrgyzstan-diserbu-netizen-indonesia-pasca-samakan-kedudukan |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=Tribun Priangan |language=id}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 3 March 2025}}{{soccerway|joel-kojo/540666}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Kyrgyzstan Cup, Uzbekistan Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Alay
|2018 |rowspan="3"|Kyrgyz Premier League |21 | 26 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|Appearances in the AFC Cup|name=AFC}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 16 | |||||
| 2019
|24 | 19 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=AFC}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 19 | |||||
| 2020
|14 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 7 | ||||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!59 | 41 | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 67 | 52 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|Dordoi Bishkek
|2021 |rowspan="2"|Kyrgyz Premier League |13 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=AFC}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 5 | |||||
| 2022
|22 | 10 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=AFC}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 10 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!35 | 14 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 15 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|Dinamo Samarqand
|2023 |17 | 11 | 6 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 15 | ||||
| 2024
|24 | 8 | 3 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 11 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!41 | 19 | 9 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 50 | 26 | ||||
| Esteghlal
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearances and goals in the AFC Champions League Elite|name=ACL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 1 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!139 | 74 | 9 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 162 | 84 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
Statistics accurate as of match played 19 November 2024
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
| colspan=3|Kyrgyzstan national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2023 | 9 | 2 |
| 2024 | 14 | 8 |
| Total||23||10 |
==International goals==
:Scores and results list Kyrgyzstan's goal tally first.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition | ||||||
| 1. | rowspan="2" | 11 September 2023 | rowspan="2" | The Sevens Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | rowspan=2 | {{fb|KUW}} | {{center|2–1}} | rowspan="2" | {{center|3–1}} | rowspan="2" | Friendly |
| 2. | {{center|3–1}} | |||||
| 3. | 9 January 2024 | Al Egla Training Facility, Doha, Qatar | {{fb|VIE}} | {{center|1–0}} | {{center|2–1}} | Friendly |
| 4. | 25 January 2024 | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar | {{fb|OMA}} | {{center|1–1}} | {{center|1–1}} | 2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| 5. | rowspan="3" | 26 March 2024 | rowspan="3" | Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | rowspan=3 | {{fb|TPE}} | {{center|1–0}} | rowspan="3" | {{center|5–1}} | rowspan="3" | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6. | {{center|2–0}} | |||||
| 7. | {{center|3–0}} | |||||
| 8. | 10 September 2024 | Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | {{fb|UZB}} | {{center|1–0}} | {{center|2–3}} | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 9. | rowspan="2" | 19 November 2024 | rowspan="2" | Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | rowspan=2 | {{fb|IRN}} | {{center|1–2}} | rowspan="2" | {{center|2–3}} | rowspan="2" | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 10. | {{center|2–2}} |
Honours
Alay
- Kyrgyzstan Cup: 2020
- Kyrgyzstan Super Cup: 2018
Dordoi Bishkek
- Kyrgyz Premier League: 2021
- Kyrgyzstan Super Cup: 2021, 2022
Individual
- Kyrgyz Premier League top-goalscorer: 2018{{cite web |title=Жоел Кожо из Ганы — лучший бомбардир чемпионата Кыргызстана по футболу (список) |url=https://sport.akipress.org/news:112578 |website=sport.akipress.org/ |publisher=Aki Press |access-date=23 January 2019 |language=ru |date=7 November 2018}}
- KFU Footballer of the year Awards: 2024{{cite news |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDZwS4GtPX5/?igsh=d3NwOWY5MXJheWpl| title=Instagram }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|joel-kojo/540666}}
- [https://pfl.uz/uzb/players/7478 PFL.uz Profile]
{{Esteghlal F.C. squad}}
{{Kyrgyzstan squad 2023 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kojo, Joel}}
Category:Footballers from Accra
Category:Ghanaian emigrants to Kyrgyzstan
Category:Kyrgyzstani people of Ghanaian descent
Category:21st-century Ghanaian sportsmen
Category:21st-century Kyrgyzstani sportsmen
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Ghanaian men's footballers
Category:Kyrgyzstani men's footballers
Category:Kyrgyzstan men's international footballers
Category:FC Dordoi Bishkek players
Category:FK Dinamo Samarqand players
Category:Esteghlal F.C. players
Category:Kyrgyz Premier League players
Category:Uzbekistan Pro League players
Category:Uzbekistan Super League players
Category:Persian Gulf Pro League players
Category:2023 AFC Asian Cup players
Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Kyrgyzstani expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Uzbekistan
Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Uzbekistan
Category:Kyrgyzstani expatriate sportspeople in Uzbekistan
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Iran