{
  "id": 1886815,
  "title": "Tinkler targets top-two finish with Asante Kotoko",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/tinkler-targets-top-two-finish-with-asante-kotoko",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-19T07:38:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/tinkler-targets-top-two-finish-with-asante-kotoko/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asante Kotoko's head coach, Eric Tinkler, has expressed his ambition to challenge for the Ghana Premier League title in the upcoming season, setting a target to finish within the top two. The South African tactician, who joined the team during the off-season, emphasizes his desire to bring success to the club and build on his past achievements in coaching. Tinkler points out that his arrival at Asante Kotoko is driven by a desire to win and achieve, rather than simply earning a salary.\n\nThe coach inherits a team that struggled during the 2025/26 campaign, finishing eighth in the league table. Since then, Kotoko has made substantial changes to its squad, with several players departing and new players, including those from abroad, joining to bolster the team's strength. Tinkler believes these changes have created a solid foundation for Asante Kotoko to contend for the league title, though he acknowledges that achieving this goal will necessitate time and consistent performance.\n\nIn preparation for the 2026/27 season, Kotoko will engage in pre-season matches, including a fixture against rival Hearts of Oak in the 2026 Democracy Cup. This encounter serves as part of Tinkler's strategy to build team fitness, evaluate his squad, and refine his preferred playing style ahead of the new campaign. The Porcupine Warriors kick off their league fixtures against debutants Debibi United on September 5.",
  "summary": "Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler has set his sights on challenging for the Ghana Premier League title, insisting that finishing in the top two is the club’s primary target for the upcoming season. The South African coach, who took charge of the Porcupine Warriors during the off-season, says he wants to bring success to […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Eric Tinkler aims for top-two finish in Ghana Premier League.",
    "Asante Kotoko struggled in 2025/26 season, finished 8th.",
    "Pre-season matches and squad changes planned for 2026/27 title chase."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Eric Tinkler's ambitious target signals a significant shift in Asante Kotoko's aspirations, reflecting his own winning mentality and potentially altering the competitive landscape of the Ghana Premier League.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}