â??Winning is all that mattersâ?? â?? Eric Tinkler delighted after Kotoko victory

Asante Kotoko coach Eric Tinkler has made it clear that results remain his priority after guiding the Porcupine Warriors to their first Ghana Premier League victory of the season.

Kotoko defeated Heart of Lions 2-1 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday to move onto four points after two matches.

Emmanuel Mamah opened the scoring before Isaac Opoku Agyemang doubled Kotoko’s advantage. Francis Odoom pulled one back for Heart of Lions from the penalty spot, but Kotoko held on to secure all three points.

Tinkler admitted that his team still have areas to improve, particularly defensively, but was delighted to see them secure the result.

The South African coach believes that ultimately, his job will be judged by whether Kotoko win games and compete for trophies.

“Obviously I'm a coach who wants to win things and even if you win the game's ugly, not that we won the game ugly today, but I get judged on results,” Tinkler said.

“I get judged on did you win or did you lose. So when I win I'm happy. So when that final whistle went obviously elated with a victory.”

The victory represents an important response from Kotoko after they were held to a 2-2 draw by newly promoted Debibi United in their opening fixture.

Tinkler had also challenged his players to make the Baba Yara Sports Stadium a fortress, and Sunday's victory gave them the perfect start to that objective.

However, the coach knows there is still plenty to improve after Heart of Lions created problems for his defence with their movement and rotations.

Kotoko were reduced to 10 men late in the game after Hamaid Fuseini received a straight red card, while Lions also had opportunities to find an equaliser.

Tinkler will now turn his attention to Kotoko's next fixture away against Samartex, where the Porcupine Warriors will attempt to build on their first win of the campaign.

For Tinkler, though, Sunday's result was the immediate priority, and he left Baba Yara satisfied with the three points.

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