Nurkovic aims to steer Chiefs to ‘land of trophies’
New Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic is reluctant to predict the number of goals he could score for Amakhosi in his first season in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
However, the 1.87m tall Serbian striker has assured fans that he intends to play a vital role upfront as Amakhosi plot a path back to the winners’ podium after four barren years.
Nurkovic wants to be part of a Chiefs team that hoists a trophy for the first time since 2015 and put a gloss on the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
“I just want to do my best in every game and do what the coach is asking of me‚ then the goals will come‚” said Nurkovic at the club’s training base in Naturena.
The 27-year-old striker has adapted well to life and the surroundings at Naturena.
He has featured in all of Amakhosi’s four games this season and opened his account scoring a wonder goal in Chiefs 1-1 draw against SuperSport United in August.
“As a striker my job is to score goals and I hope I can score as many goals as I can. Everybody knows I know how to do it‚” said the striker.
Can Nurkovic reach double figures? He took a deep breath before saying: “As long as I am creating chances for my teammates and I am playing, I am OK.”
Chiefs’ next game is at home against a Polokwane side high on confidence having conceded just one goal in four matches.
The visitors are placed fifth on the standings‚ three points behind Chiefs with two wins‚ a draw and a defeat.
“We respect every opponent and if we are going to play like we played in our first four games‚ it is not going to be a problem at all‚” said Nurkovic.
He added that he understands that as a striker there will be a weight of expectation on him to score goals.
He insisted that he is up for the challenges ahead.
“This is the club with the richest history in this country and of course every year this club deserves to win something.
“For me, I just focus on the next game and just try help the team collect as many points as we can.”
It is Nurkovic’s first time in Africa. He played in the lower leagues in Slovakia last season and said he is enjoying his time since arriving in July.
“[The PSL] is a quality league with a lot of quality players and so far I am enjoying it. It’s the first time I play in front of these wonderful supporters.”
Chiefs are top of the table after four matches with 10 points and are yet to be defeated. They have three wins and a draw.
Chiefs fans will have to wait a little longer for the return to firstteam action of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
Coach Ernst Middendorp‚ who was on Thursday named the Premiership coach for the month‚ said the former Bafana Bafana first-choice goalkeeper is not yet 100% fit.