A week after completing the signing of Asenele Velebayi, Kaizer Chiefs are now free to go after Luke Baartman.
Like Velebayi, Baartman has been declared a free agent by the PSL’s Dispute Resolution Chamber after the club’s attempt to sign him for free had been contested by Cape Town Spurs.
Spurs, who were relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season and will now be playing their football in the amateur ranks, filed an application with the SAFA Arbitration Tribunal contesting the Velebayi ruling last week and will most likely do the same with the Baartman case.
Immediately after the decision was made last week, Chiefs announced the signing of Spurs’ 22-year-old captain, a player they had been chasing for over a year. A similar announcement about Baartman could be made as soon as Tuesday.
At just 19 years old, striker Baartman is regarded as one of the most exciting young footballers in South Africa. He boasts impressive technical skills, including excellent ball control, dribbling, and first touch.
While primarily a centre-forward, Baartman is adaptable and can perform in various attacking roles. While at Spurs, he was often deployed as an inside forward, winger, and advanced playmaker.
Despite still being a teenager, he has been praised for his maturity and decision-making on the field. Off the field, he’s shown a lot of dedication to improving his game, something the hierarchy at Naturena will appreciate in a player so young.
Unfortunately, despite all of his talents, he still needs to put a lot of time in the gym, as his slight frame might struggle in the top-flight. Because he’s still so young, he has plenty of time to become a more all-rounded footballer.
For Chiefs, securing Baartman would signal another statement of intent in their quest to build a youthful, dynamic squad capable of dominating the PSL.
If the club can nurture his talent and help him develop the physical strength to match his technical ability, Baartman could quickly become a key figure at Naturena, providing creativity, goals, and excitement for fans eager to see the next generation of South African stars take centre stage.
IOL Sport
