Striker Ibrahim Tanko of German first division SC Freiburg was suspended for four months by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday after he failed a drugs test.

Ghanaian Tanko, 23, was playing for Borussia Dortmund when he tested positive for a compound of tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in hashish or marijuana, after a German Cup third round defeat by Schalke 04 last November. A second analysis of his sample confirmed the positive result.

The DFB, who also fined Tanko 15,000 marks ($6,964), said his ban started from the day the positive result was announced on December 15.

The striker, who joined SC Freiburg during the winter break, will next be available to play for his new club on April 16.

Before Tanko left for Germany, he played for King Faisal, which was then a second division side based in Kumasi.

Tanko was a regular player of the Black Stars, but has of late turned down invitations to play for the national team.