[ad_1]
Kaizer Chiefs have fought for the Absa Premiership title for over a year, and they finally deserve it, but they should know that it will take a lot of effort to secure it on “Super Saturday” against desperate Baroka FC, said striker Samir Nurkovic.
Nurkovic’s presence results in goals, as demonstrated when the Serbian’s header provided the assist for Khama Billiat’s goal in the ninth minute in the Chiefs’ 1-0 win over Chippa United on Wednesday night to prepare the final round on Saturday.
The leading Chiefs, who face the penultimate Baroka at Bidvest Stadium, have 56 points and a difference of +21 goals. Second-place defending champs Mamelodi Sundowns have 56 points and a +18 difference as they face the penultimate Black Leopards at Dobsonville Stadium.
“This is a really important game for us,” said Nurkovic, whose 13 goals as the league’s fourth-leading scorer have played a key role in bringing his team within reach of what would be the Serbian’s first league title.
“As everyone knows, we had a good season‚ and we were on top from the beginning. And we are definitely going to do our best and fight until the last minute, and try to secure this victory and this title.
“I think this team deserves it because we have been fighting for more than a year for that. And we have to go with a clear mindset, and just enjoy our time on the field and, ha, secure the league. “
Baroka is arguably the more desperate of the two opponents facing the Chiefs and Sundowns on Saturday.
Already in penultimate place in the playoffs with 28 points, Bakgaga knows they need a win to escape. The Leopards, opponents of Downs, are one point ahead of Baroka (29) ‚and can keep an eye on events at Bidvest Stadium‚ and if the Chiefs lead, Lidoda Duvha could loosen that margin against Downs.
“The discussions between the players are that we have to keep our fighting spirit, our positive thoughts. We have to maintain our confidence from the last game, ”Nurkovic said.
“It was very good that we won it, and that was also good to build our confidence for the last game.
“The Baroka are fighting relegation. [But] as everyone has seen, there have been no easy games in these last eight games. Everyone is fighting for something, some against relegation, some for the top eight, some for being champions.
“But, like I said, we were leaders on the record from the start of the season. We are going to do our best on the pitch and this is the only thing we have to think about now ”.
The Chiefs in December held a 13-point lead over Sundowns, and 10 over then-second-ranked SuperSport United. Periods of nervousness have seen that gap narrow to zero, but Amakhosi still has the advantage of a higher goal difference desperately seeking to reverse four previous seasons without the trophies in the Soweto great club’s 50th anniversary season.
The Sundowns are chasing their own milestone of their 10th championship in the Premier Soccer League era.
Absa Premiership Final Round –
Saturday (all 3.30 pm):
- Mamelodi Sundowns v Black Leopards (Dobsonville Stadium)
- Chippa United v Lamontville Golden Arrows (Orlando Stadium)
- AmaZulu v Highlands Park (Lucas Moripe Stadium)
- Baroka FC – Kaizer Chiefs (Bidvest Stadium)
- Bloemfontein Celtic v Maritzburg United (Stadium Tuks)
- Bidvest Wits v Polokwane City (FNB Stadium)
- Orlando Pirates v Stellenbosch FC (Ellis Park)
- Cape Town v SuperSport United (Loftus Versfeld)
