Asante Kotoko in talks to appoint South African veteran Eric Tinkler as new head coach

Asante Kotoko are on the verge of appointing experienced South African tactician Eric Tinkler as their new head coach, ending the club’s search for a permanent manager.

The Porcupine Warriors have been operating without a substantive head coach since the exit of Karim Zito, with interim handlers Prince Yaw Owusu and later Hamza Obeng taking charge of the team during the transition period.

The club recently strengthened its technical structure with the appointment of Dutch football expert Stanley Menzo as Director of Football, with finding a long-term head coach identified as a major priority ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Tinkler, 55, arrives with extensive coaching experience from the South African Premier Soccer League, having managed some of the country’s top clubs, including Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, SuperSport United, Chippa United, and Maritzburg United. His most recent role was at Sekhukhune United.

The former Bafana Bafana midfielder, who earned 45 international caps for South Africa, also enjoyed a successful playing career before moving into coaching.

During his time on the touchline, Tinkler has won three major trophies, including the Nedbank Cup with Orlando Pirates in the 2013/14 season, the League Cup with Cape Town City in 2016, and the South Africa 8 Cup with SuperSport United in the 2017/18 campaign.

His expected appointment is seen as a move by Kotoko to inject stability, experience, and a winning mentality into the team as they begin preparations for the upcoming campaign.