Kaizer Chiefs

Samir Nurkovic of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Khuliso Mudau of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2021 MTN8 Quarter Final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs on 15 August 2021 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, Atteridgeville Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Why Kaizer Chiefs should not be relying on Samir Nurkovic

Kaizer Chiefs have been warned against developing an over-reliance on Serbian centre forward Samir Nurkovic.

Kaizer Chiefs

Samir Nurkovic of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Khuliso Mudau of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2021 MTN8 Quarter Final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs on 15 August 2021 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, Atteridgeville Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs have been warned against developing a reliance on Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic.

Outspoken form Kaizer Chiefs player Junior Khanye has sounded off on the mercurial striker.

Khanye believes that Chiefs don’t play their best football with a target man in the centre forward role.

Kaizer Chiefs should not be relying on Samir Nurkovic

“That’s good for Kaizer Chiefs fans although he’s not the kind of a player that Chiefs should be relying on in my opinion. Chiefs have been winning games playing with a false number nine and Khama Billiat is doing very well in that role. I still don’t understand how Samir Nurkovic plays,” said Khanye in an interview with Soccer Laduma.

Kaizer Chiefs
Samir Nurkovic and Luckyboy Mokoena of TS Galaxy FC during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 game at Mbombela Stadium on 22 August 2021 Photo: Dirk Kotze/BackpagePix.

Nurkovic is set to return to action for Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32, provided coach Stuart Baxter opts to use the striker.

The striker is contracted until the end of the season but Kaizer Chiefs have an option to extend his contract by one year. It is likely that even if Amakhosi want to offload him, Nurkovic will see his deal renewed to allow the club to recover some of their considerable investment in their foreign star.

Khanye says that the imminent return of Samir Nurkovic does not excite him.

“I am a fan of Kaizer Chiefs, but Nurkovic’s return doesn’t excite me because the team has been doing well without him. I know the fans are excited, but I am not. Keagan Dolly is another player who has been doing well in playing as a false number nine and the team has been winning,” he added.    

Kaizer Chiefs will go in search of a record-extending 14th Nedbank Cup title when they kick off the 2022 campaign with a home tie against fellow DStv Premiership club TS Galaxy. 

TS Galaxy beat Kaizer Chiefs in the 2019 Nedbank Cup final, ensuring that their trophy drought continued.