Royal AM co-coach Abram Nteo has addressed the recent rumours around Khabo Zondo and Samir Nurkovic ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup match on Sunday.
Zondo missed the DStv Premiership loss to SuperSport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday, triggering talks that he was, just like Dan Malesela, on his way out of the club.
However, club boss Shauwn ‘Ma’ Mkhize dismissed those rumours to iDiski Times, saying Zondo was not fired, but was left behind to train the other half of their squad as they prepare for the Confederation Cup first leg of second preliminary round against Zambian side ZESCO United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday (16:00) – a stance now reiterated by Nteo.
“We knew as a club that coach Khabo didn’t leave,” said Nteo at Friday’s press conference at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“He’s part of the club and you will see him when you go to the field, he’s part of the club. He was still part of the club and that’s why he remained behind to train the other guys because of the congestion of the games.
“So we wanted the other players who stayed behind to be trained. So he has been part of the club, never been out of the club and these allegations and the news that he’s no longer part of the club, we don’t know.”
To clear things up, Zondo was also seen having session with the players, dissecting how they will have approach ZESCO, who reached the CAF Champions League semi final in 2016 where they lost to Mamelodi Sundowns.
There were also reports this week that Samir Nurkovic was on the borrowed time at the club as he has failed to play a single official match for Royal AM this season due to an injury, and has not been paid for two months salary.
However, Nurkovic was at training with Royal AM on Friday and chances are huge that he will be part of the side against ZESCO, who defeated Kaizer Chiefs, Nurkovic’s former club, in the playoffs of the same competition in the 2018/19 season.
Nteo, just like he dispelled the news of Zondo, said as far as he knows Nurkovic is part of the team.
“Nurkovic has been training and has been doing well,” said Nteo.
“I’m happy with the way he’s training. He is showing that he wants to play. This other thing that came out about him, I don’t know about it.
“I think the management are the one who can answer that. For me he is doing so well and sooner he will be fit and start playing games.”
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
MaMkhize Breaks Silence On Zondo Exit Rumours
