Tinkler says Asante Kotoko’s off-field problems go beyond football

Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler says the difficulties confronting the Ghanaian club extend beyond tactics and match results, with financial pressure, poor infrastructure and indiscipline all affecting his work.

The South African coach acknowledged that Kotoko’s supporters and leadership expect trophies, but said meeting those demands will require more than improvements on the pitch. He believes the club’s wider operating conditions have made his assignment more demanding.

Tinkler has identified a return to the CAF Champions League as a central target during his time in charge. The former Sekhukhune United coach arrived with the intention of achieving success, but has stressed that the club’s current circumstances must be recognised alongside its ambitions.

Financial limitations and infrastructure shortcomings are among the problems the club already understands, Tinkler said. He also pointed to discipline within the squad as a continuing concern since his arrival, adding another challenge to the work of rebuilding the team environment.

The coach is seeking to establish more professional standards at Kotoko. He linked the repeated disciplinary problems to several underlying factors, while making clear that the club is aware of them and that they require attention.

Tinkler accepts that his performance will ultimately be measured by results and the team’s displays. However, he believes the conditions surrounding the club should form part of that assessment as Kotoko work towards competing for a place in the CAF Champions League again.