Royal AM co-coach Kabo Zondo has confirmed that Samir Nurkovic is injured amid speculation he has left the club after joining from Kaizer Chiefs.
Nurkovic, 30, joined Royal AM from Amakhosi this window but was absent during last week’s media event when Dan Malesela was introduced as new co-coach and president Shauwn ‘Mam’ Mkhize announced the club had bought a women’s team.
On Thursday, Zondo also gave an update on Nurkovic, saying the player is sidelined with injury.
“Look, it’s a work in progress,” Zondo said during the 2022/23 DStv Premiership launch on SuperSport TV.
“I know that Samir Nurkovic is under pressure to be what we are. But we training, we are trying, by all means, to make sure that he understands what type of football we play.
“I think he did well at Chiefs when he arrived, until the time when he got injured, he’s still injured even now.
“There are new players that we also brought in, but we must also appreciate the Diski Challenge team, that we are able to bring in surprises there and there.
“For me this league is there for the taking. You can’t say we want the top eight when you are in a DStv league like this.”
Last week, Mkhize had tried to calm down speculation around Nurkovic’s whereabouts, insisting he is an important part of the squad.
“Nurkovic can never leave the club,” she said during a media event, attended by iDiski Times.
“He’s one of the players we need in Africa. We need height, we need people with structure in Africa.
“There is no way we can release Nurkovic. He is still part of the club.”
