Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler says he is relishing the pressure that comes with leading one of Ghana’s biggest clubs as he prepares for his first Ghana Premier League campaign.The South African believes his experience in high-profile fixtures in his homeland has equipped him to cope with the expectations surrounding the Porcupine Warriors.Tinkler, who has previously managed Cape Town City FC and Sekhukhune United, said years of coaching in intense derby matches had prepared him for the demands of the Kotoko job.”I thrive under pressure, to be honest,” he told the club’s media.”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.”The 56-year-old said one of his main responsibilities would be to help his players embrace the occasion rather than feel burdened by it.”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.”Tinkler wants Kotoko to play with confidence and freedom while entertaining supporters both inside the stadium and those following on television and radio.”I want to put on a good performance, a good spectacle for the fans in the stadium and the millions who are going to listen to it on radio and watch it on TV. The players will have to go and play with freedom and without fear.”Kotoko begin their 2026-27 Ghana Premier League campaign away to newly promoted Debibi United, giving Tinkler his first competitive league test since taking charge of the Kumasi-based club.
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