Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler has urged supporters not to read too much into the club’s Democracy Cup success, insisting the team remains a work in progress despite defeating rivals Hearts of Oak.

The Porcupine Warriors claimed the trophy after a 4-1 penalty shootout victory at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, with goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad emerging as the hero by saving two spot-kicks.

However, with Kotoko preparing for the start of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season, Tinkler believes the win represents only an early milestone in the club’s ongoing rebuilding project.

“When I first arrived, it wasn’t great,” Tinkler told reporters.

“But we’ve made strides going forward. The players that have come in have been received extremely well, and they have integrated very quickly.”

The South African coach acknowledged the progress made since his arrival but stressed that significant improvements are still required before the team can reach its full potential.

“But it’s still a work in progress; there are still a lot of things that we need to improve on, in terms of synchronicity, understanding, philosophy, discipline and what I call the fundamentals,” he added.

Kotoko have been among the busiest clubs in the transfer market, strengthening their squad with 12 new signings ahead of the new campaign.

The newcomers include returning Ghana international goalkeeper Danlad, Ivorian defender Koffi Marius Ange Bini, Burkina Faso midfielder Abdoul Kader Tarnagda, Cameroonian midfielder Solomon Nsor Asaah and Moroccan goalkeeper Abdel Wadie Mourad.

The Kumasi-based club will begin their league campaign against newly promoted Debibi United on 6 September at the Golden City Park in Berekum.

After finishing eighth in the Ghana Premier League last season, Kotoko will be hoping their revamped squad can help them mount a stronger challenge in the 2026/27 campaign.