Eric Tinkler sets trophy target after Kotoko's 1-0 friendly win

Eric Tinkler has set Asante Kotoko a clear target for the 2026/27 season after the Kumasi club defeated Heart of Lions 1-0 in a friendly match. The South African coach said his ambition extends beyond taking charge of the Porcupine Warriors and collecting a salary.

Tinkler joined Kotoko in July as the club strengthened its technical team ahead of the new campaign. His appointment followed a previous season in which Kotoko ended without silverware, increasing the importance of their preparations for the season beginning in September.

The coach said he accepted the job because he wants to achieve success with the Ghanaian giants. He described himself as highly ambitious and made winning trophies the central objective of his time in Kumasi.

Tinkler has also placed a specific league target before his players. Kotoko are aiming to finish in the top two, a position that would represent a strong response after last season’s failure to secure any trophy.

The 1-0 result against Heart of Lions was part of the club’s pre-season work rather than a competitive league fixture. It gave Tinkler a winning start in the friendly programme as he continues to prepare the squad for the new campaign.

Kotoko are scheduled to play two more matches in the coming weeks before the season starts. Those fixtures will provide further preparation for a coach who has already made clear that his focus is on competing for honours and achieving tangible results with the club.