Wily Nafuzi banking on trusted hands to help Canaries soar

PETALING JAYA: Looks like Nafuzi Zain (pic) is set to cook up a storm with Kedah in the Super League this season, thanks to his new array of attackers.

The northern club, despite being mired with financial issues, have signed several top-quality talents especially upfront.

The Canaries have taken in striker Syafiq Ahmad on loan from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), playmaker Faiz Nasir on loan from Terengganu, Uzbekistan winger Sukhrob Nurullaev and Haitian international winger Sony Norde.

All these players are ready to play for Nafuzi.

“Did they really say they want to play under me? Training under me will be strenuous,” said Nafuzi jokingly.

“In reality, it does feel good to hear from these players. I want to thank them for joining me here in Kedah despite the club going through financial problems and still looking to settle the salary arrears.

“As a coach, I want to make players better. They must realise that they have what it takes to be even better. I will also make sure they are comfortable on and off the pitch.”

The attackers taken in by Kedah are all capable of playing anywhere upfront.

“Faiz played for me when I coached Terengganu and he is one player who is versatile up front.

“As for Sony, I have always wanted to work with him due to his experience in Malaysian football.

“He is a quality player who can play on the left or right wing and sometimes even as a striker.

“Syafiq and Sukhrob have been training well too. I have attackers who can play in a variety of positions, which helps my game plan a lot.”

Nafuzi said the local spots have been filled and now he would look to complete his team by signing one foreign defender and striker.

Besides Faiz, Syafiq, Sony and Sukhrob, Nafuzi has also signed defenders Irfan Zakaria, Rizal Ghazali and Zamri Pin Ramli.