Joel Kojo (; 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.
Kojo finished the 2018 season as the club's and the league's top scorer with 26 goals.
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.
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 3âÂÂ0 victory over Navbahor Namangan-2.
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 2024âÂÂ25 AFC Champions League Elite match against Iraqi club Al Shorta in a 1âÂÂ1 draw.
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 5âÂÂ1 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 1âÂÂ1 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 5âÂÂ1 home win.
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.
Statistics accurate as of match played 5 September 2025
International goals
Alay
Dordoi Bishkek
Esteghlal
Neftchi Fergana
Individual