Accra: Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler has criticised the standard of Ghana's football pitches, claiming several African countries are ahead of the country when it comes to sports infrastructure. Tinkler made the comments on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after Kotoko's training friendly against Hearts of Lions at the University of Ghana Stadium.
According to Ghana Web, the South African coach believes the condition of pitches is one of the areas Ghana needs to urgently improve, particularly if clubs want to develop possession-based football. Tinkler emphasized the necessity of high-standard training pitches, stating that better quality surfaces would enhance players' enjoyment of football matches and reduce pressure during games.
Tinkler pointed out that Ghana is falling behind a number of African nations that have invested significantly in their playing surfaces and football facilities. He highlighted that countries like Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria have exceptional pitches, and compared to these nations, Ghana's infrastructure requires significant improvement.
Asante Kotoko is preparing for the 2026/27 season, and Tinkler is keen to establish an environment that allows his players to train and play under better conditions. His assessment underscores the need for Ghana to enhance its sports infrastructure to remain competitive on the African continent.