Asante Kotoko's Tinkler targets trophies after 1-0 friendly win

Asante Kotoko beat Heart of Lions 1-0 in a friendly match as new head coach Eric Tinkler set winning trophies as his main ambition for the 2026/27 season. The South African coach also identified a top-two finish as the club’s target.

Tinkler joined the Kumasi-based side in July as part of efforts to strengthen its technical team before the new campaign. His appointment followed a previous season in which Kotoko ended without silverware.

Speaking after the victory, Tinkler made clear that his move to Ghana was driven by more than employment. He said he had come to Kotoko to contribute fully, compete for honours and deliver achievements with the Porcupine Warriors.

The coach described himself as ambitious and indicated that his approach on the touchline would reflect his desire for success. Winning trophies, rather than simply completing the season, is the standard he wants to establish at the club.

Kotoko’s 1-0 result over Heart of Lions was part of their preparations for the new campaign, which begins in September. The team are scheduled to play two more matches in the coming weeks before the season starts.

For Tinkler, the immediate objective is to use that preparation period to build a side capable of challenging near the top of the table. His stated benchmark is a place among the leading two teams, while the broader goal is to end the campaign with trophies after last season’s failure to win any silverware.