Eric Tinkler Critizises Hard Pitch, No Water Break After Kotoko's 2-2 Draw at Debibi United

BEREKUM, Ghana- Eric Tinkler's Asante Kotoko reign began with a 2-2 draw against newly promoted Debibi United, but the South African coach's main talking point after the match was the state of the Berekum Golden City Park pitch.

Tinkler launched a strong criticism of the playing surface, describing it as hard, heavy and physically draining for players, while also questioning the decision not to allow a water break in the hot conditions.

"The pitch is hard and it starts to affect your calves, your thigh, your hamstring," Tinkler said in his post-match press conference.

"The pitch is heavy, the pitch is thick... the pitch is the widest and the longest I have seen in every league I have coached in," he added.

Despite the conditions, Tinkler insisted his side still tried to play: "The pitch did not stop us from playing our brand of football."

He also called out the officiating for not enforcing a cooling break.

"We did not have a water break but in this weather we should have at least... we should be having at least a water break for the players."

In the game, Kotoko led twice through Yakubu Dogo's 15th-minute opener assisted by Hubert Gyau and Gyau's 79th-minute equalizer, but Richard Owusu's brace - a 49th-minute free-kick and a 73rd-minute strike - earned Debibi a point on their Premier League debut.