FC AshantiGold 04 head coach Karim Zito has told Asante Kotoko manager Eric Tinkler to adjust to the condition of pitches in Ghana rather than continue to criticise them.
Tinkler recently voiced his frustration about the state of playing surfaces after Asante Kotoko’s 1-0 pre-season win over Heart of Lions at the University of Ghana Stadium.
Speaking on Akoma FM, Zito said the South African coach should have assessed the local football environment before agreeing to take charge of Asante Kotoko ahead of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season.
The veteran coach said Tinkler now needed to accept the conditions he had found and concentrate on working effectively within them.
“Eric Tinkler needs to adjust himself to the situation here in Ghana. He should have taken the time to come down and assess the conditions before accepting the Asante Kotoko job,” Zito said.
Zito also argued that the pitches criticised by Tinkler had not prevented the manager from delivering success since taking charge of the Porcupine Warriors.
“The same poor pitches he has been complaining about have given him a trophy, despite all the negativity surrounding the situation,” he added.
Although he disagreed with Tinkler’s complaints, Zito said he was pleased to see the Kotoko manager celebrate after winning silverware.
The former Dreams FC coach said Tinkler’s reaction brought back memories of his own celebrations after lifting trophies during his coaching career.
“I was happy for Tinkler yesterday. I remember when I won a cup, I also danced, so when I saw him celebrating, I saw a bit of myself in him. I was genuinely happy for him,” he said.
Tinkler recently led Asante Kotoko to victory over rivals Hearts of Oak in the Democracy Cup, earning his first trophy since becoming manager of the Porcupine Warriors.
That success came after the club’s pre-season victory against Heart of Lions, in a match where concerns over the playing surface had been raised.
Asante Kotoko will now prepare for the start of the Ghana Premier League campaign. Their opening fixture will be against newcomers Debibi United.
Zito’s comments come as Ghanaian clubs and coaches prepare for the new league season, with the condition of pitches remaining a prominent issue around domestic football. While he defended the need for improved playing environments, his main message to Tinkler was that the Kotoko manager must adapt to the circumstances he faces in Ghana.
The experienced coach also emphasised that, despite the criticism surrounding the pitches, Tinkler had already managed to secure a trophy with Asante Kotoko.
