Asante Kotoko Appoint South Africa’s AFCON Title Winner Tinkler As New Head Coach

Asante Kotoko have appointed experienced South African coach Eric Tinkler as the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season, Ghana Soccernet reports.

Tinkler joins the Porcupine Warriors with immediate effect, bringing more than three decades of experience in elite football as both a player and coach.

Tinkler arrives with an impressive coaching resume, having managed several of South Africa’s biggest clubs, including Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Cape Town City, Maritzburg United and Bidvest Wits.

During his coaching career, he guided Orlando Pirates to the CAF Champions League final and SuperSport United to the CAF Confederation Cup final, while also winning multiple domestic cup titles, including the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout.

Before moving into coaching, Tinkler enjoyed a distinguished playing career, captaining South Africa and earning 48 international caps.

He represented Bafana Bafana at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and was part of the squad that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations. At club level, he played in England, Italy and Portugal, featuring for Barnsley, Cagliari and Vitoria de Setubal.

Kotoko said Tinkler’s appointment reflects the club’s ambition to build a strong technical structure capable of competing for honours domestically and on the continental stage.

He will work closely with Director of Football Stanley Menzo Purl as the club looks to strengthen its football operations.

Board Chairman James Osei Brown welcomed the appointment, describing Tinkler as a coach with a proven winning mentality and an outstanding record of developing players.

“Eric brings a wealth of experience, discipline and winning pedigree to our technical bench. His track record of developing players and delivering results at the highest level in African football makes him the right man to lead our team at this important time,” he said.

Speaking after his appointment, Tinkler expressed his excitement at taking charge of one of Africa’s most decorated clubs.

“I am honoured and excited to join one of Africa’s most storied football institutions. Asante Kotoko’s rich history, passion for success and ambition for development is well known across the continent.

“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,” he said.