Former Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler has delivered a candid assessment of football pitches in Ghana following his opening pre-season match in charge of African giants Asante Kotoko.
Tinkler was appointed head coach of the two-time African champions, known as the ‘Porcupine Warriors’, last month.
Before heading to West Africa, Tinkler last coached Betway Premiership side Sekhukhune United, leaving the club late last season.
He has since kicked off his tenure at the Ghanaian giants on a winning note, securing a 1-0 victory over Hearts of Lions at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra in a friendly encounter on Tuesday. Inusah Adams settled the tie with a sublime second-half strike.
Addressing the media after making his touchline debut in West Africa, Tinkler admitted that adapting to local playing surfaces will be an ongoing challenge, though he remains firm that his squad must embrace the reality on the ground.
WHY ERIC TINKLER HAS NOT BEEN IMPRESSED BY GHANA PITCH CONDITIONS
“It has not been easy; obviously, conditions here are very different to what you find in South Africa,” said Tinkler. “The standard of the pitch is not great, which obviously makes it harder for the players. We want to try and play a brand of football that is entertaining. We want to play a possession game, and on pitches like this, it becomes very difficult.
“But I have experienced myself having been in Africa in a number of countries, and this is the norm. So what we can’t do is use it as an excuse. It’s our reality, and we have to adapt.”
Beyond adapting to local conditions, the former Bafana Bafana international expressed delight at the resilience displayed by his squad, emphasising that grinding out tough results will be essential for their title ambitions.
“The players today [Tuesday] showed me a lot of fight and desire to win the game, and you have to find ways of winning that game even if it becomes ugly. Ultimately, that’s what it is about. The more games we can win, the better our chances of finishing high up in the league. The confidence and morale of the team starts growing.”
Meanwhile, the former Bafana Bafana international will begin his Ghana Premier League campaign on 6 September 2026 away to Debibi United FC.
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