Kaizer Chiefs: Nurkovic has brought something different – Tinkler

Maritzburg United coach Eric Tinkler believes that Samir Nurkovic is a big part of Kaizer Chiefs’ revival this season.

The former Bafana Bafana defender feels that with Nurkovic and Leanardo Castro in their ranks, Chiefs have been able to play a more direct game which they have executed ruthlessly. 

Tinkler acknowledges that the Team of Choice would need a brave display to send the form team of the 2019/20 season crashing out of the Telkom Knockout.

Maritzburg United have failed to beat Kaizer Chiefs at the last ten attempts but might hope the international break has put the brakes on the momentum of Amakhosi.

Tinkler tries to rally his men against Kaizer Chiefs

“We know how strong they are; they are having a great season. We know [Kaizer Chiefs] confidence now is very high, but we need to go there and be brave, not play with fear,” said Tinkler.

“I think they are playing differently to what they did last season; it’s a different team so I don’t think you can sit and compare, to be brutally honest, a lot of new faces.

“Samir Nurkovic has brought in something very different. I think they are a more direct team now then what they were in the past because of the height that he gives them upfront.

“Same as Leonardo Castro, so I think the planning can’t be the same [as] last season.”

Home away from home

Tinkler confessed that he would have preferred to face Kaizer Chiefs at their traditional home, the FNB Stadium, rather than the ground in Mpumalanga. The match has sold out, and most of those ticket holders are Chiefs fans.

“Yeah Kaizer Chiefs wherever they go it’s a home game for them,” he added.

“I think their record at FNB Stadium isn’t great, we would’ve preferred to play them there, but yeah Mbombela I like it, I think it’s a fantastic stadium.

“The surface from the last game I saw played there, the surface is going to be great, which will help us to play. I think it’s going to be an entertaining game.”

Maritzburg United have not suffered defeat since September with their results achieved with tenacity and good fortune, but Kaizer Chiefs will test the organization of Tinkler’s charges. United will look to hit Chiefs on the counter, but the style employed by the Glamour Boys will make this easier said than done in theit Telkom Knockout semi-final.