Joel Kojo (; born 21 August 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Uzbekistani club PFC Navbahor. 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.
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 Kyrgyzstan for an extended period of time.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAlay2018Kyrgyz Premier League2126 61271620192419 2026192020147 —147Total5941 816742Dordoi Bishkek2021Kyrgyz Premier League134 2115520222210 202410Total3514 413915Dinamo Samarqand2023Uzbekistan Pro League171164—23152024Uzbekistan Super League24833—2711Total411997—5026Esteghlal2024–25Persian Gulf Pro League1123031173Neftchi Fergana2025Uzbekistan Super League11300—113Navbahor Namangan2026Uzbekistan Super League2000—20Career total1597912715318689
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsKyrgyzstan2023922024148202571Total3011
Scores and results list Kyrgyzstan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kojo goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Joel KojoNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition 1 The Sevens Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Friendly 2 3 Al Egla Training Facility, Doha, Qatar Friendly 4 Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup 5 Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 6 7 8 Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 9 Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 10 11 JAR Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 2025 CAFA Nations Cup 12 Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Friendly
Honours Alay Kyrgyzstan Cup: 2020 Kyrgyzstan Super Cup: 2018
Dordoi Bishkek Kyrgyz Premier League: 2021 Kyrgyzstan Super Cup: 2021, 2022
Esteghlal Iranian Hazfi Cup: 2024–25
Neftchi Fergana Uzbekistan Super League: 2025
Individual Kyrgyz Premier League top scorer: 2018 KFU Footballer of the Year: 2024
References
External links
PFL.uz Profile