Ghana Premier League giants Asante Kotoko Sporting Club have appointed former Bafana Bafana captain Eric Tinkler as the club’s new Head Coach with immediate effect.
In a statement issued Friday, July 17, the club said the Portuguese-South African tactician arrives at Kumasi with over 30 years of experience in elite football and holds a CAF A Coaching License.
Tinkler earned 48 caps for his country, leading the national team at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and featuring at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
He was also part of the squad that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
On the coaching front, Tinkler has managed several of South Africa’s biggest clubs including Cape Town City, SuperSport United, Maritzburg United, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits.
His résumé includes a runner-up finish in the CAF Champions League with Orlando Pirates, a CAF Confederation Cup runner-up finish with SuperSport United, and domestic honours such as MTN 8 titles and a Telkom Knockout Winners Medal.
As a player, Tinkler enjoyed a professional career across England, Italy and Portugal, turning out for clubs including Barnsley, Cagliari and Vitória de Setúbal.
At Kotoko, Tinkler will work alongside the club’s Director of Football, Stanley Menzo Purl, as the Porcupine Warriors look to build a structure geared towards sustained success both domestically and on the continental stage.
Board Chairman James Osei Brown welcomed the appointment, describing Tinkler’s experience and winning pedigree as valuable additions to the club’s technical bench, and expressing confidence that his track record makes him the right man to lead the team at this important juncture.
For his part, Tinkler said he was honoured to join one of Africa’s most storied football institutions, citing Kotoko’s rich history and ambition as major draws, and pledged to work with players, staff and management to build a team capable of competing and winning at home and continentally.