New Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler has officially overseen his first pre-season training session, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Ghana Premier League giants as they prepare for the 2026/27 campaign.
The South African tactician took charge of the squad on Monday as preparations gathered pace at the club’s training grounds, using the opening session to assess his players and begin introducing his coaching philosophy to the Porcupine Warriors camp.
Tinkler’s arrival was confirmed by the club on 17 July 2026, ending a search for a permanent head coach that followed the departure of Karim Zito. In the interim, the Kumasi giants had been guided by caretaker coaches Prince Yaw Owusu and, later, Hamza Obeng.
The appointment forms part of a broader restructuring of Kotoko’s football operations, which earlier saw the club bring in Stanley Menzo as Director of Football to oversee recruitment, player development and long-term technical strategy.
I am honoured and excited to join one of Africa’s most storied football institutions. I look forward to working with the players, staff and management to build a team that can compete and win, both at home and on the continental stage.” Eric Tinkler, Asante Kotoko Head Coach
Tinkler’s appointment has generated considerable excitement among the Porcupine Warriors faithful, with expectations high that the 55-year-old can restore the club to domestic dominance and strengthen its challenge for continental honours.
Born in South Africa and holding a CAF A Licence, Tinkler brings more than three decades of experience in elite African football, both as a player and as a coach.
He earned 48 international caps for South Africa, captaining Bafana Bafana at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, representing his country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and forming part of the squad that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations title.
His coaching career has taken in several of South Africa’s most prominent clubs, including Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Cape Town City, Maritzburg United, Bidvest Wits, Chippa United and, most recently, Sekhukhune United.
Under his charge, Orlando Pirates reached the CAF Champions League final, while SuperSport United advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup final. He has also collected domestic silverware along the way, including the Nedbank Cup with Orlando Pirates, the League Cup with Cape Town City, and the South Africa’s Cup with SuperSport United.
Eric Tinkler File
Nationality: South African
Age: 55
Playing career: 48 caps, South Africa; AFCON 1996 winner
Previous clubs (coach)
Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Cape Town City, Maritzburg United, Bidvest Wits, Chippa United, Sekhukhune United
CAF finals reached
CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup
Appointed at Kotoko on 17 July 2026
The pre-season programme under Tinkler is expected to focus on improving fitness levels, tactical organisation and squad cohesion as Kotoko build towards a demanding campaign that will likely include CAF commitments alongside the domestic league. The former Cape Town City coach is also expected to use the training period to evaluate his squad in detail and identify areas requiring reinforcement before the transfer window closes.
With a new technical structure now in place under Menzo and Tinkler, Kotoko will be hoping for a strong start to the new season and a swift return to the summit of Ghana football under their new manager.