Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic spoke exclusively to Fan Park about his favourite goal and much more!
Check it out.
What's the story?
TS Galaxy striker Samir Nurkovic recently sat down for a chat with Soccer Laduma's Fan Park to speak about his favourite goal in his career.
The Serbian also mentioned how relieved he was to open his account for his new club TS Galaxy and handling the pressure of playing for a club as big as Kaizer Chiefs.
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Let's take a closer look at what Nurkovic had to say....
Nurkovic chats goals Chiefs pressure
31-year-old striker Samir Nurkovic is on the comeback trail with Sead Ramovic's TS Galaxy side after a frustrating period at Royal AM, that was riddled in controversy.
The ex-Glamour Boy is happy to be playing regular football again and has already managed three goals in his first nine matches in all competitions for the Rockets this season.
He opened his account in truly spectacular fashion against Sekhukhune United in a DStv Premiership clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in October.
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The experienced forward struck the winner from long distance to hand his team an important win over a tricky Sekhukhune side, setting the tone for a resurgence in form after not playing for a long period.
Check out the stunning strike:
Goal of the Month (Sep/Oct) ?? Samir Nurkovic #sundowns #KaizerChiefs #orlandopirates #BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/kg2YyHnDMq
— PSL BEYOND FOOTBALL (@GooodVeee4127) November 15, 2023
When asked about the outrageous goal, Nurkovic was open and honest about how relieved he was to open his account for the Rockets:
"Wow, what a goal huh? Yes, I was relieved, it's all about that hard work, really in professional football, it's all about that hard work you put in the field, the training ground, that extra hard work you're doing. Football gives you all of that back in the game.
"About that goal, it's all in the hard work I was putting in at that time when I wasn't playing and now the football is giving it all back to me and I'm really happy with that," said Nurkovic.
The baller went a year without playing any competitive football, following his unsuccessful move from Kaizer Chiefs to Royal AM, he admitted that retirement from the beautiful game crossed his mind.
"I was thinking about that, I won't lie, but not for a long time because it wasn't realistic. I am only 31 and those kind of years are the best years in a professional footballer's career so I couldn't give up, because I know that now it's time for me to give that extra push and put in some extra hard work to get back to where I was before.
"Everything else is in God's hands, whatever that's meant to be is meant to be. On my side, it's really important to stay professional and give my best," added Nurkovic.
In his PSL career, Nurkovic has faced plenty of pressure situations and has come up with some important goals in key match-ups for the Soweto giants.
The baller revealed how he handled the pressure of playing for such a massive club:
"I mean, what more pressure would you want as a player than playing for Kaizer Chiefs. As a player, the biggest pressure, like I have experienced, is when you play for Chiefs. It's really big pressure, lot's of supporters, wonderful supporters.
"If you survive that kind of pressure and play there, then you can play everywhere else in the world," stated Nurkovic who also reiterated that it's important for players not to overthink situations on the pitch.
"Once you're on the field, you just turn off everything around you and focus on your play. You cannot feel pressure while you're playing football or any other sport, the [real] pressure is when you're homeless and living on the streets and if you don't know what you will eat that day," added the Serbian star.
Nurkovic's favourite goal? You guessed it, that audacious bicycle kick in the 100th league Soweto Derby back in 2021, helping Amakhosi to a narrow 1-0 win.
"It was really a dream come true for me, first, playing in a Soweto Derby in front of thousands of supporters and it's a big achievement for me, coming from a small place, far far away from Serbia, it was a dream come true for me. I was really happy with that," said 'Kokota Piano'.
Watch Nurkovic's memorable Soweto Derby winner:
It's advantage Chiefs in the Soweto Derby!
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 21, 2021
Samir Nurkovic scores his first-ever Derby goal and hands Amakhosi a vital lead.
?? Stream the Soweto Derby live: https://t.co/G3fJxjm5Y0 #DStvPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/7OcuhfjsZN
Take a scroll through the gallery to view snaps of Nurkovic in TS Galaxy colours:
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