Kaizer Chiefs midfielders Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Mduduzi Shabalala have offered advice to young teammate Luke Baartman on how to handle the pressure of playing for the club and shared their thoughts on his potential.
Baartman was unveiled by Chiefs on Tuesday, August 19 following the PSL DRC’s decision to declare him a free agent. The teenage sensation’s former club, Cape Town Spurs, was relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the ABC Motsepe League, which led to his release.
However, CT Spurs are challenging the ruling. They are expected to file a review application with the SAFA Arbitration Tribunal, similar to the one they filed regarding another new Chiefs player, Asanele Velebayi, a former teammate of Baartman’s at the Urban Warriors.
The players’ legal team argued that a club’s relegation to amateur status voids all professional contracts under NSL rules. The DRC panel agreed, concluding that the contracts CT Spurs were relying on were no longer valid because the club had become an amateur entity.
Baartman was introduced to the Amakhosi fans at FNB Stadium last Tuesday, along with fellow new signings Velebayi and Etiosa Ighodaro, before the team’s Betway Premiership match against Richards Bay FC.
The 19-year-old watched from the stands as Chiefs secured a 1-0 victory, with Gaston Sirino scoring the winning goal.
NGCOBO AND SHABALALA URGES BAARTMAN TO FOCUS ON IMPROVING AMID CHIEFS’ SPOTLIGHT
Ngcobo, a product of the Chiefs development, advised Baartman to stick to his natural game and focus on improving the areas he needs to develop.
Speaking at the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena on Monday, Ngcobo also praised the young player. “I think we have had a few sessions with him. Firstly, I would say he is a great player,” said the midfield maestro during the club’s media open day.
“I think he needs to play his normal football and improve his game in all the areas where he needs to improve. The pressure that comes with playing for a big team like Chiefs is natural, but I believe that with the talent he has, he is going to do well for the team.”
Meanwhile, fellow Chiefs academy graduate ‘Mdu’ Shabalala added, “I think Luke is also a good player and a good signing for us. He is going to help us a lot.”
“What he needs to do is focus on himself and always be himself at training and on the field. He must also play with his heart, and he must not listen to what other people say about him. He must do his thing and close out the noise from outside.”
RELATED STORY: PSL DRC declares Luke Baartman a free agent, Chiefs set to pounce