Baartman Resolves To Fight Through Naturena Frustration

Kaizer Chiefs starlet Luke Baartman admits his lack of regular game time at Naturena has been frustrating, but the teenager insists he respects the intense squad competition and remains determined to fight for his place in the Amakhosi line-up.

From Free-Agent Legal Drama to the Glamour Boys

The 19-year-old forward joined Chiefs in October following a lengthy legal battle involving his former club, Cape Town Spurs, and highly-rated winger Asanele Velebayi.

The Urban Warriors initially blocked the players’ exits, despite the club plummeting down to the amateur ranks of the ABC Motsepe League following their top-flight relegation.

The contract dispute eventually required SAFA arbitration. The arbitrator ruled in favor of the players, granting them free-agent status and clearing the way for Chiefs to officially register the duo.

How Has Luke Baartman Performed in His Debut Season?

Transitioning to the Soweto giants has proven challenging for the former Spurs marksman. Baartman has managed just five appearances across all competitions this season, with every cameo coming as a second-half substitute totaling less than 30 minutes on the pitch.

His last competitive run-out came against Polokwane City in April. Since then, he has completely missed out on the matchday squad. Despite the quiet start, the forward maintains a positive mindset.

“It’s great to be a Chiefs player, but not playing has been tough. At the same time, I understand the immense competition here,” Baartman said. “My job is to work hard on the training pitch and give my best; the rest is up to the coaches.”

The forward also shed light on the psychological hurdle of coming off the bench under different match conditions.

“When you’re losing and you come on every time to play maybe 15 minutes, it is always tough. I think the game where I played well was against Golden Arrows. It was good when I came on, and I felt I performed well.”

Baartman’s breakout form with Cape Town Spurs came in late 2023, where he became one of the youngest goalscorers in PSL history at age 17, scoring against his current employers at FNB Stadium.

What is Kaizer Chiefs’ Strategy for the Final Betway Premiership Match?

Attention now turns to Chiefs’ final Betway Premiership assignment of the season against Chippa United this Saturday at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

While Amakhosi have already mathematically locked down a third-place finish in the league standings, Baartman emphasizes that the squad refuses to take their foot off the gas.

“I think we all know that Chippa are dangerous opponents and they will come at us with everything they have,” he added.

“Yes, we have secured third place, but for us it’s about getting the three points and finishing the season well.

“There’s nothing different we are doing at training. We are going to approach the game as we always do, and it’s up to them how they come. We will do everything we can to get the three points.”