Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler says he is relishing the pressure that comes with leading one of Ghana’s most successful clubs as he prepares for his first Ghana Premier League campaign.
The South African tactician believes his experience of managing in high-pressure environments during his time in South African football has equipped him to handle the expectations that accompany the Kotoko job.
Tinkler, who previously coached Cape Town City and Sekhukhune United, pointed to his involvement in some of South Africa’s biggest football rivalries as evidence of his ability to thrive under intense scrutiny.
“I thrive under pressure, to be honest. As I said, I have been involved in big derbies like Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs,” he told the club’s media.
“I was involved in those games for a number of years, with big crowds and big expectations from both the Chiefs and Pirates fans, so it’s going to be no different.”
The 56-year-old said one of his key responsibilities would be to shield his players from excessive pressure and help them perform with confidence.
“I need to take that experience and knowledge and pass it on to the players and take the pressure off them. You can’t go into a game with a fear of losing.”
Tinkler stressed that he wants his players to focus on producing entertaining football rather than being burdened by expectations.
“I want to put on a good performance, a good spectacle obviously for the fans in the stadium and the millions who are going to listen to it on radio and watch it on TV, and the players will have to go and play with freedom and without fear.”
Kotoko will begin their 2026-27 Ghana Premier League season with an away fixture against newly promoted Debibi United.
