Kaizer Chiefs teenage forward Luke Baartman has decided to remain with
the club and continue fighting for his opportunity, rather than seek a loan
move in January.
The 19-year-old striker, who has yet to make an appearance for the senior
side this season, faces intense competition in a crowded attacking
department. The likes of Khanyisa Mayo, Flavio Silva, Etiosa Ighodaro,
Makabi Lilepo, Wandile Duba, and Ashley Du Preez are all vying for places
ahead of him.
Despite his lack of minutes, the Siya crew has learned that Baartman has
received encouraging feedback from the coaching staff. This has motivated
him to remain patient, work hard, and wait for his chance until the end of
the season.
His path to the first team has been complicated by several factors. He
missed pre-season and the early part of the campaign due to legal issues
involving his former club, Cape Town Spurs, and was later away on
international duty with the Amajita squad at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in
Chile.
Baartman is not the only Chiefs player who has found themselves out of
favour in the first half of the season. Others, including Tashreeq Morris,
Ethan Chislett, and Nkanyiso Shinga, have also seen minimal action and could
be candidates for loan moves to gain playing time.
The challenge of breaking into the Chiefs’ attack is evident across the
squad. Wandile Duba, a regular under former coach Nasreddine Nabi, has
fallen down the pecking order under the current co-coaches, Cedric Kaze and
Khalil Ben Youssef. Meanwhile, new signings Silva and Ighodaro have pushed
Ashley Du Preez down the order, though their own integration was delayed by
early-season injuries.
Kaizer Chiefs will conclude their 2025 schedule with a Betway Premiership
away match against TS Galaxy on Sunday.
