Stories and facts

Ibrahim Anyars Tanko, born on 25 July 1977 in Kumasi, Ghana, is a retired footballer and coach known for his roles as a second striker and attacking midfielder.

He began his professional career at 17 with Borussia Dortmund, becoming one of the club’s youngest debutants.

Despite being part of their 1996–97 UEFA Champions League-winning squad, his career in Germany, which also included a stint at SC Freiburg, was hampered by injuries and a suspension due to a failed drug test. He retired at age 30 after 15 years in the game.

Internationally, Tanko earned nine caps for Ghana, with his final appearance in 2004. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching, taking roles in Germany, Japan, Cameroon, and Ghana.

He served as Ghana’s U-23 head coach, guiding the team to the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, and later led the Ghana A’ national team. In 2022, he was reappointed head coach of the Black Meteors.

Tanko is multilingual, a devout Muslim, and a father of three. His journey reflects a career of resilience and continued contribution to football both on and off the field.

Explore the life of Ibrahim Tanko below.