Tinkler Speaks Ahead Of Hearts Clash

Head Coach Eric Tinkler has provided an overview of the team’s progress in pre-season after pitching camp in the capital two weeks ago. The South African gaffer is embracing the new challenge of coaching outside his native country for the first time in his impressive coaching career.

Speaking to the club’s media on the progress made so far, Tinkler said his players are adapting very well.

“I have been quite happy with our preparations, the players obviously getting to know me and obviously me getting to know the players better in terms of their work ethic, character and personality, and obviously what they are capable of doing on the field of play. There are a lot of new faces coming into the squad, so it’s very important for them to learn what my expectations are in terms of the things I call the non-negotiables, and the players have responded extremely well.”

The Porcupine Warriors will begin the new campaign with the Democracy Cup, which is a ceremonial game that celebrates Ghana’s Parliament and democracy in the Fourth Republic. The game, though ceremonial, comes with an extra bonus for the eventual winner to play English Premier League side Sunderland in the United Kingdom.

The 56-year old, when quizzed on his side’s readiness for the game, said he will draw on the experience gained from the big derby games he was involved in during his time in South Africa to please the supporters on Friday evening.

“We are obviously looking to prepare over the next two weeks to ensure that we get to the game on the 28th in the Democracy Cup against Hearts of Oak and put on a good performance, especially at home in front of our own fans. I have been involved in a number of derbies  back in South Africa, so I am looking forward to it because I believe it’s a big [rivalry ]here in Ghana, and we expect a big crowd. Obviously, I want to please the Asante Kotoko fans with a win.”

Tinkler didn’t dismiss the fact that pressure and expectations from the fans play a massive role in football. Rather, the former Cape Town City and Sekhukhune coach said he performs better in demanding circumstances.

“I thrive under pressure, to be honest. Like I said, I have been involved in big derbies like Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs. I was involved in those games for a number of years, with big crowds and big expectations from both the Chiefs and Pirates fans, so it’s going to be no different. I need to take that experience and knowledge and pass it on to the players and take the pressure off them. You can’t go into a game with a fear of losing. I want to put on a good performance, a good spectacle obviously for the fans in the stadium and the millions who are going to listen to it on radio and watch it on TV, and the players will have to go and play with freedom and without fear.”

Asante Kotoko were crowned champions of the maiden edition of the Democracy Cup, beating Friday’s opponents 2-1 in Accra in 2024, as Justice Blay and Peter Amidu scored in each half to give the Porcupine Warriors the ticket to Washington.