Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler says he is pleased with the club’s preparations for the 2026-27 season as the Porcupine Warriors continue to adjust to his methods.
The Kumasi-based side spent more than two weeks in Accra for their pre-season camp, giving Tinkler an extended opportunity to assess his squad and introduce several new signings to his way of working.
The South African is preparing for his first full campaign in charge of Asante Kotoko and believes the players have responded positively to his demands both on and off the pitch.
“I have been quite happy with our preparations, the players obviously getting to know me and obviously me getting to know the players better in terms of their work ethic, character and personality, and obviously what they are capable of doing on the field of play,” Tinkler told the club’s media.
Tinkler took charge of a squad that has undergone significant changes during the off-season, with a number of new arrivals increasing his options before the campaign begins.
The former Cape Town City coach said that helping those players understand his standards had been one of the main objectives of the pre-season programme. He has placed particular importance on the principles he describes as non-negotiable within the team.
“There are a lot of new faces coming into the squad, so it’s very important for them to learn what my expectations are in terms of the things I call the non-negotiables, and the players have responded extremely well.”
The club’s preparations will now lead into a demanding start to the competitive season, beginning with a major Ghanaian fixture against rivals Hearts of Oak.
Asante Kotoko will face Hearts of Oak in the 2026 Democracy Cup, giving Tinkler a high-profile first test as he seeks to establish his team’s identity and begin his tenure with a victory.
The Porcupine Warriors will then turn their attention to the Ghana Premier League. Their opening league fixture will be away from home against newly promoted Debibi United.
That schedule leaves Tinkler with an immediate challenge as he prepares to guide a reshaped squad through its first competitive matches of the new campaign. The club’s time in Accra allowed him to work with both established players and new recruits, while also giving the squad greater familiarity with his expectations.
Tinkler’s assessment comes after a close pre-season period in which he focused on understanding the players’ work ethic, character and personalities, as well as their capabilities on the field. He also used the camp to ensure the squad could absorb his approach before the pressure of competitive football begins.
With the Democracy Cup meeting against Hearts of Oak followed by the trip to Debibi United, Asante Kotoko’s opening fixtures will provide an early measure of the progress made during preparations. Tinkler, however, says the response from the players has left him satisfied ahead of his first full season in charge.
