Pitches in Ghana are not great - Asante Kotoko coach Eric Tinkler

Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler has criticised the standard of football pitches in Ghana, saying poor playing surfaces are making it difficult for his side to implement their preferred style of play.

The South African made the comments after Kotoko secured a 1-0 victory over Heart of Lions in a pre-season friendly at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

Tinkler, who has previously managed South African clubs including Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United, said the conditions in Ghana were significantly different from those he was accustomed to in his home country.

“It hasn’t been easy obviously; conditions are very different from what you find in South Africa," Tinkler told the media.

“As you are well aware, the standard of the pitches are not great, which obviously makes it much harder for the players.”

The 54-year-old said the condition of the pitches was particularly problematic for a team attempting to play possession-based football.

“We want to try and play a possession-based game and on pitches like this, it becomes very, very difficult."

However, Tinkler insisted that his players could not use the playing surfaces as an excuse and would instead have to adapt to the conditions.

"What we can’t do is to use it as an excuse; it’s our reality, and we have to adapt,” Tinkler added.

Tinkler was appointed Kotoko head coach earlier in the off-season following a disappointing 2025-26 campaign for the Porcupine Warriors, who finished eighth in the Ghana Premier League.

The former Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United coach is now tasked with rebuilding the team and improving their fortunes in the new season.

Kotoko will begin their 2026-27 Ghana Premier League campaign away against newly promoted Debibi United.

Before the league season gets underway, however, Tinkler's side will face rivals Hearts of Oak in the 2026 Democracy Cup as part of their preparations for the new campaign.