PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kojo Peprah Oppong |
| Date of Birth | 04/06/2004 (Age: 22) |
| Place of Birth | Accra, Ghana |
| Nationality | Ghanaian / French |
| Height | 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 78 kg / 172 lb |
| Position | Defender (Centre-Back / Full-Back) |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #37 (Nice) |
| Current Club | OGC Nice |
| Previous Clubs | Attram De Visser (Ghana), IFK Norrköping, GIF Sundsvall (loan) |
| International Caps | 6 |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The ball was goal-bound. England had piled on the pressure, and Ghana’s defence was at breaking point. Then, a flash of white and a desperate head. Kojo Peprah Oppong had thrown himself at the ball on the goal-line, diverting it away and preserving a precious clean sheet against the tournament favourites.
Just minutes earlier, the 22-year-old had entered the fray, making a brief but heroic two-minute appearance. It was a moment that encapsulated his rapid rise. Less than two years earlier, he had been playing in the Swedish second division with GIF Sundsvall. Now, he was keeping England at bay at the World Cup.
His tournament was cut short by a knee injury sustained against Croatia, ruling him out of the crucial Round of 32 clash with Colombia. But the injury could not diminish what he had already achieved. The boy from Accra, who holds dual French nationality through his mother, had become one of Ghana’s standout performers on the biggest stage.
“It’s disappointing to miss this opportunity,” he reflected. “But making my World Cup debut at 22 and showing what I can do against top players like those in the England squad is a dream come true.”
Origins
Kojo Peprah Oppong was born on June 4, 2004, in Accra, Ghana. He holds Ghanaian nationality and also possesses French nationality through his mother, which facilitated his eventual move to Europe.
His football journey began in Ghana, where he played for the Attram De Visser academy, a club that has produced several talents who have gone on to play in Europe. His performances in Ghana caught the attention of Swedish scouts, and in 2023, he made the move to IFK Norrköping in the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top division.
The European Forge: Sweden to France
IFK Norrköping and Loan to GIF Sundsvall
Peprah Oppong signed for IFK Norrköping in 2023 but struggled for regular game time in his first season, making just one Allsvenskan appearance. To gain experience, he was sent on loan to GIF Sundsvall in the Superettan, Sweden’s second division.
The loan proved transformative. In the 2023 season, he made 11 Superettan appearances, and in the 2024 season, he was a regular starter, making 27 appearances and accumulating over 2,400 minutes of football. He developed into a reliable defender, building his confidence and experience in Swedish football.
Return to Norrköping and Breakthrough
Ahead of the 2025 season, Peprah Oppong returned to IFK Norrköping and became a key player. He made 15 Allsvenskan appearances, starting 14 of them and playing 1,202 minutes. His defensive contributions were impressive: 94 clearances, 16 interceptions, and 76 duels won. He also played five matches in the Svenska Cupen.
His performances did not go unnoticed. In July 2025, he signed for French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice for a reported fee of €2.7 million.
OGC Nice (2025-Present)
Peprah Oppong’s transition to French football was seamless. He made his Ligue 1 debut on August 16, 2025, as a starter against Toulouse, at the age of 21 years and 73 days. He quickly established himself as a regular in the Nice defence.
In the 2025-26 season, he made 27 Ligue 1 appearances, starting 26 of them and accumulating 2,249 minutes of playing time. He scored his first Ligue 1 goal against Le Havre on August 31, 2025. He also featured in the Coupe de France, making five appearances as Nice reached the final, where they finished as runners-up. Across all competitions, he made 41 appearances, scored one goal, and played 2,812 minutes.
His season was a success by any measure. He established himself as a Ligue 1 defender, played in a cup final, and earned a call-up to the Ghana national team for the World Cup.
The International Journey
Peprah Oppong earned his maiden call-up to the Ghana senior national team in October 2025. He made his international debut on October 12, 2025, in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The 2026 World Cup
Peprah Oppong was named in Carlos Queiroz’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made three appearances at the tournament, accumulating valuable experience on the biggest stage.
His World Cup campaign included a two-minute cameo against England, where he produced a heroic goal-line clearance to preserve a clean sheet. He also played the full second half against Croatia, where he performed admirably before picking up a knee injury. Unfortunately, the injury ruled him out of the crucial Round of 32 clash against Colombia.
Despite the injury, his performances at the tournament elevated his profile. He had proven that he could compete at the highest level.
The Anatomy of His Game
Peprah Oppong is a versatile defender who can play as a centre-back or on either flank. His game is defined by his defensive solidity, composure, and reading of the game.
In Possession
His distribution is reliable. In his Ligue 1 career, he has completed 674 successful passes out of 773 attempted. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can build play from the back. He is right-footed.
Out of Possession
His defensive statistics are exceptional. In the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season, he made 46 tackles, 30 interceptions, and 165 clearances in 29 appearances. He is strong in the air, winning 24 of 40 aerial duels. He has been described as a “solid defender, strong on the man and very lively.”
Psychological Edge
What sets Peprah Oppong apart is his resilience. He has adapted to three different leagues in three years, moving from Ghana to Sweden to France. He has overcome the challenges of adapting to new countries and new playing styles.
His performances at the World Cup demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure. “He offers defensive stability with his pace and composure,” noted analysts.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 (Nice) | 27 | 2,249 | 1 | 0 |
| Coupe de France | 5 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Champions League | 2 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Europa League | 5 | — | 0 | 0 |
| World Cup | 3 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 42 | — | 1 | 0 |
TABLE B: Career (All Competitions)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | IFK Norrköping | Allsvenskan | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | GIF Sundsvall (loan) | Superettan | 11 | 0 |
| 2024 | GIF Sundsvall (loan) | Superettan | 27 | 0 |
| 2025 | IFK Norrköping | Allsvenskan | 15 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | OGC Nice | Ligue 1 | 27 | 1 |
| Total | — | — | 81 | 1 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 0 | Round of 32 |
| Ghana Senior Career | 6 | 0 | — |
| World Cup Qualifiers | — | — | Qualified |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Move to Sweden | Signed for IFK Norrköping |
| 2023 | Loan to GIF Sundsvall | First senior appearances |
| 2025 | Return to Norrköping | Breakthrough in Allsvenskan |
| 2025 | Nice Move | Signed for €2.7m |
| 2025 | Ghana Debut | First cap vs Comoros |
| 2026 | Ligue 1 Debut | First appearance vs Toulouse |
| 2026 | First Ligue 1 Goal | Scored vs Le Havre |
| 2026 | Coupe de France Final | Runner-up with Nice |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Ghana’s squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | 3 appearances, goal-line clearance vs England |
What These Figures Reveal
The statistics paint a portrait of a player who has developed rapidly in a short space of time. Peprah Oppong has gone from the Swedish second division to the World Cup in just two years. His 27 Ligue 1 appearances in his first season demonstrate his adaptability and consistency. His 3 appearances at the World Cup, including a crucial goal-line clearance against England, underline his importance to the Ghana national team.
His transfer fee of €2.7 million from Norrköping to Nice reflects his growing reputation. His performances at the World Cup are likely to increase his market value further.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup was the pinnacle of Peprah Oppong’s career so far. He was selected in Carlos Queiroz’s 26-man squad and made three appearances, including a heroic cameo against England and a full second-half performance against Croatia. Unfortunately, a knee injury ruled him out of the Round of 32 clash with Colombia.
His club future is bright. He is under contract at OGC Nice and has established himself as a key player for the club. His performances in his debut Ligue 1 season were impressive, and he will be looking to build on that in the coming years. He was a finalist in the 2026 Coupe de France with Nice.
His international career is secure. He has 6 caps for Ghana and is a key player for the national team. His performances at the World Cup have made him a vital part of the Black Stars setup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Peprah Oppong is defined by his resilience and his commitment to his heritage. He was born in Accra to Ghanaian parents and holds French nationality through his mother.
His journey from Ghana to Sweden to France is a testament to his hard work. He has adapted to three different countries and three different playing styles, and he has succeeded at every level.
He is a proud representative of Ghana, and his journey from the Attram De Visser academy to the World Cup is an inspiration to many young Ghanaian footballers.
The Verdict from the Camp
Carlos Queiroz, Ghana head coach:
Peprah Oppong was named in Ghana’s World Cup squad, a recognition of his talent and form. Queiroz confirmed that Peprah Oppong was the only player ruled out of the Colombia match through injury: “The only player who did not recover in time is Kojo Oppong Peprah.”
Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, Sports Journalist:
“Peprah entered the fray [against Croatia] in the second half as a replacement for Jonas Adjetey and performed admirably before picking up the injury.”
Where Next?
Kojo Peprah Oppong is 22 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. He is a Ligue 1 player, a World Cup squad member, and one of the most promising young defenders in African football.
Club Outlook
He is under contract at OGC Nice and has established himself as a key player for the club. His performances in his debut Ligue 1 season were impressive, and he will be looking to build on that in the coming years. His consistency and versatility make him a valuable asset for Nice.
International Outlook
For Ghana, he is the future. His performances at the World Cup have established him as a key player for the national team. At 22, he has many years ahead of him and could be a mainstay of the Black Stars defence for the next decade. His pace, composure, and defensive quality make him an ideal fit for Carlos Queiroz’s system.
The Journey Continues
From Attram De Visser to OGC Nice, from the Swedish second division to the World Cup, Kojo Peprah Oppong’s journey is a story of talent, resilience, and extraordinary achievement. The boy from Accra who adapted to three different countries is now a World Cup player and a national hero. His best years are still ahead.
