Sportswire has been informed that veteran striker Samir Nurkovic’s potential move to SuperSport United is off.

The former Kaizer Chiefs striker was linked with a move to SuperSport after the Tshwane side suffered a long-term injury to Bradley Grobler. However, with SuperSport now signing Abubeker Nasir from Mamelodi Sundowns on loan, the move for Nurkovic is no longer on the table. Notably, Sundowns is covering Nasir’s salary, which SuperSport has agreed to.

Nurkovic’s departure from TS Galaxy came after he fell out of favor with coach Sead Ramovic and was asked to train with the DStv Diski Challenge team. This led to tensions between the player and the club, ultimately resulting in his departure.

Because his departure occurred before the transfer window closed, Nurkovic is free to sign with any PSL club. The 32-year-old striker joined Galaxy last season and scored 10 goals in 29 matches across all competitions.

Prior to his time at Galaxy, Nurkovic had been involved in a dispute with Royal AM, which led to his release from the club. He took the matter to FIFA and won, resulting in a transfer ban for Royal AM. The club is now in its third transfer window ban due to this issue.

Royal AM has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the hearing is scheduled for next month.

Since arriving in South Africa in 2019, Nurkovic has featured in 107 matches, scoring 31 goals and providing 10 assists. He is best known for scoring the winning goal in the CAF Champions League semifinal against Wydad Casablanca in 2021, helping Chiefs become the first South African club to win in Morocco in the Champions League.  

Chiefs held firm as the second leg was a goalless draw in South Africa to reach the Champions League final but lost to Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly.