{
  "id": 5780300,
  "title": "Asante Kotoko must compete before talking title, says Eric Tinkler",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/asante-kotoko-must-compete-before-talking-title-says-eric-tinkler",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T12:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/asante-kotoko-must-compete-before-talking-title-says-eric-tinkler/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asante Kotoko's head coach Eric Tinkler has cautioned against prematurely claiming the Ghana Premier League title, emphasizing that his primary focus is to elevate the club to the division's elite ranks. The South African coach believes that Kotoko's eighth-place finish last season was insufficient for a top team and has set a target of reaching the top four this campaign. \"The expectation is for us to compete,\" Tinkler stated on Akoma FM, noting that last season's position reflected a failure to compete meaningfully. He believes that by assessing the team's performance midway through the season, they can gauge their competitiveness for the championship. \"We want to be up there competing for the top positions: top three or top four. If, by the halfway point of the season, we find ourselves in that position, then we will be in a good place because that is when you can begin to seriously push for the title,\" he explained. Tinkler is cautious about making definitive championship predictions, citing the influx of new players in his squad and the time required for them to adjust to the team dynamics. \"It is still too early for us to say that, based on the way we are performing, we can win the league. There are still a lot of new faces at the club, and it takes time for players to adapt,\" he added. The coach also stressed that developing a successful team is a gradual process and warned against expecting immediate results. Tinkler assured that reaching the top four by the halfway point would mark a substantial improvement for the Porcupine Warriors and lay the groundwork for ambitious aspirations in the latter stages of the season. Kotoko kick off their 2026-27 Ghana Premier League campaign on Sunday with an away match against newly promoted Debibi United at Golden City Park.",
  "summary": "Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler says it is premature to discuss winning the Ghana Premier League title, insisting that his immediate priority is to establish the club among the division’s leading teams. The South African believes Kotoko’s eighth-place finish last season fell short of the standards expected at one of Ghana’s most successful clubs […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}