Nurkovic totally at home in Mzansi
Jonty Mark
Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic spent the international break enjoying a family reunion in Austria, but Amakhosi fans needn’t worry about the Serbian becoming homesick any time soon.
For Nurkovic, who has four sisters and a brother, the move to play in the Premier Soccer League has been a raging success so far, as Ernst Middendorp’s side have surged to the top of the Absa Premiership and made it to the semifinals of the Telkom Knockout – Chiefs take on Maritzburg United in Nelspruit on Sunday.
“Everything I told them is to come (to South Africa) as soon as possible, to see how great the atmosphere is here, on the pitch, in the stadiums,” said Nurkovic on the meeting with his family. “Everything is wonderful”.
The 27-year-old has four goals in all competitions for Chiefs this season, and has contributed to plenty more, proving a key part of Middendorp’s line-up, thriving under the pressure that comes with playing for Amakhosi.
Prior to coming here, Nurkovic had only ever played in front of 10 000 people, but he has already played well for Chiefs in two Soweto derbies, in front of a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals, and in front of an even larger FNB Stadium crowd in the Absa Premiership.
“It has been a wonderful feeling and experience for me, and right now I think the best fans in the world are Amakhosi fans,” added Nurkovic.
“They support us whether we are at home or away.
“When we play away it feels like we are at home. I am enjoying every moment on and off the field, we love and appreciate their support, because of them I am giving 100% in every game.”
The next step for Chiefs is to mark this season with a piece of silverware, and the Telkom Knockout represents a great opportunity to lift a first trophy in three-and-a-bit seasons. Nurkovic, however is not getting carried away, refusing to even think about playing in the cup final.
“We cannot put ourselves in the final… we still have to play 90 minutes (against Maritzburg), We have watched clips (of Maritzburg)... they have a good coach, and a good team, we respect every opponent.”
Lebo Phiri was finally given a chance in a competitive match in a Bafana Bafana shirt on Sunday, and the 25-year-old midfielder more than made the most of it, putting up a fantastic display that included netting the only goal of the game in South Africa’s vital 1-0 win over Sudan in Group C of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. Phiri was played in a more attacking role than he is used to at club level by head coach Molefi Ntseki, and he thrived, supporting Bafana’s attacks to great effect, and no more so than in the final minute of the first half, where he latched onto a loose ball and sent a superb finish into the top corner.