I can't teach the players on poor pitches - Tinkler Slams Ghana’s stadiums

Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler has raised concerns over the quality of pitches in Ghana, warning that poor playing surfaces are making it difficult for him to implement his preferred style of football.

The South African coach made the comments on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after Asante Kotoko played a training friendly against Hearts of Lions at the University of Ghana Stadium as preparations continue ahead of the new season.

Tinkler wants his Kotoko side to play a possession-based brand of football, but believes the condition of pitches could undermine his efforts to develop the team.

“The pitches are not good. We want to play a possession-based game. The pitch makes it much harder,” Tinkler told the media after the game.

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The former Orlando Pirates coach also admitted that poor pitches are limiting the amount of tactical work he can do with his players during training sessions.

“I can't teach the players a lot when we are working on poor pitches,” he added.

Tinkler is in the early stages of his tenure at Kotoko and is using the club’s pre-season programme to assess his squad and introduce his football philosophy.

The Porcupine Warriors are expected to continue their preparations with more training sessions and friendly matches before the start of the 2026/27 campaign.



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