Cape Town City boss Jan Olde Riekerink is well aware that Kaizer Chiefs have a new weapon with Samir Nurkovic fit and firing again.
The aggressive Serbian returned to Amakhosi’s starting lineup from injury for the first time this season on Wednesday and fired Gavin Hunt’s team to a 1-0 over AmaZulu.
Nurkovic was Chiefs’ top scorer with 13 goals last term as they were pipped to the PSL by Mamelodi Sundowns to the title on the final day of the campaign.
With Lebo Manyama and Khama Billiat injured, Nurkovic will be Chiefs’ main threat for Saturday’s PSL clash at Cape Town Stadium.
And with the City boss forced to change his first-choice central defensive pairing in Taariq Fielies, due to injury, and Abbubaker Mobara’s deployment in midfield, Riekerink is confident in his new duo of Giannis Potouridis and Keanu Cupido.
The Dutchman says: “Yes Nurkovic can score the goals and decide games. But more important is how we organise the defence around him.
“Giannis and Keanu will obviously be the players closest to him. And don’t underestimate their qualities.
“Giannis knows how to deal with these [physical] players.
“But it’s not just Nurkovic, it’s about the second balls around Nurkovic, because he can flick on and bring down long balls.”
Turning to his own attack, the boss feels that it’s too soon to throw new striker Justin Shonga into the fray.
But Riekerink has full confidence in Fagrie Lakay to get the goals, having scored a brace in last weekend’s 2-2 with Tshakhuma FC.
He adds of his attackers: “Fagrie is an exceptional player. He is fast and score goals.
“He can be one of the guys who can decide the game.
“Justin is very mobile and can score goals and play well on transition. But he is only here for four days.”
Meanwhile, Thabo Nodada and Mpho Makola have recovered from Covid-19, but will face late fitness tests to see if they are ready to be involved as fifth-placed City look to stay in touch with the leading pack.