Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler says it is premature to discuss winning the Ghana Premier League title, insisting that his immediate priority is to establish the club among the division’s leading teams.
The South African believes Kotoko’s eighth-place finish last season fell short of the standards expected at one of Ghana’s most successful clubs and has set an initial target of securing a place in the top four.
“The expectation is for us to compete. That is what we want to do this season. Last season, finishing eighth meant we were not really competing,” Tinkler told Akoma FM.
The former Cape Town City coach said Kotoko’s progress should be measured by their position at the midway stage of the campaign, with a strong first half of the season potentially laying the foundation for a title challenge.
“This season, we want to be up there competing for the top positions: top three or top four. If, by the halfway point of the season, we find ourselves in that position, then we will be in a good place because that is when you can begin to seriously push for the title,” he said.
Despite the club’s ambitions, Tinkler remains cautious about making championship predictions, citing the number of new arrivals in his squad and the time needed for them to settle.
“It is still too early for us to say that, based on the way we are performing, we can win the league. There are still a lot of new faces at the club, and it takes time for players to adapt,” he added.
Tinkler also stressed that building a successful side is a gradual process and warned against expecting immediate results.
“As coaches, we are not miracle workers. We work with the players, try to improve them and build their confidence.”
The 55-year-old reiterated that reaching the top four by the halfway point would represent a significant step forward for the Porcupine Warriors and provide a platform to aim higher in the second half of the season.
Kotoko begin their 2026-27 Ghana Premier League campaign on Sunday with an away fixture against newly promoted Debibi United at Golden City Park.
