Danlad Ibrahim reveals Kotoko's role in his 2022 World Cup inclusion

2026-03-04 - 00:35

Former Black Stars goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim has opened up on how his time at Asante Kotoko paved the way for his inclusion in Ghana's 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar. Ibrahim was one of only two locally based players named in Ghana's final 26-man squad for the tournament, a remarkable achievement for the then 19-year-old shot-stopper. He credited his club for providing the platform that caught the selectors' attention. "Playing for Kotoko increases your chances of getting a call-up, especially when you perform wholeheartedly," Ibrahim revealed. At the time of his selection, Ibrahim had established himself as an important figure for the Porcupine Warriors, keeping multiple clean sheets and helping the club to Ghana Premier League glory in the 2021-22 season. Beyond his club form, Ibrahim's pedigree with national youth teams also played a significant role. He was part of the Black Satellites squad that won the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and had progressed through the junior national team ranks. For Ibrahim, the journey to Qatar was the culmination of years of consistency—both at club level with Kotoko and across Ghana's youth setups. His inclusion made him one of the youngest players in Ghana's World Cup squad. Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.