Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler has warned his players against complacency as they prepare to open their 2026/27 Ghana Premier League campaign against newcomers Debibi United.

The Porcupine Warriors travel to the Berekum Golden City Park on Sunday, 6 September, to face a Debibi side preparing for their first-ever season in Ghana’s top flight.

Tinkler says Kotoko must approach the fixture with the same intensity they would show against the league’s established sides.

“We’ve got to match them in terms of our work ethic, but then our qualities need to come out, and hopefully we can go there and get a positive result,” the South African coach said.

The former Orlando Pirates manager stressed that consistency against teams lower down the table will be crucial if Kotoko are to challenge for the league title.

“You don’t win leagues by beating Hearts of Oak and Medeama; you win leagues because you’re beating teams at the bottom of the log, so complacency cannot be permitted in those games.

“A club like Asante Kotoko, home and away, should be winning football matches,” he added.

Kotoko finished eighth in the Ghana Premier League last season and will be hoping for a significantly stronger campaign under Tinkler.

Debibi United, meanwhile, will be looking to mark their top-flight debut with a positive result against one of Ghana’s most successful clubs.