ONE of the players who came to Kaizer Chiefs with a lot of attention, Luke “Boere” Baartman, opened up about the pain of watching other boys rub it when there was joy when he joined one of the teams considered to be hundreds in South Africa.
At the beginning of the current season, Chiefs and Cape Town Spurs ended up putting each other in the South African Football Association (Safa) referees, in the dispute between Baartman and Asanele Velebayi, who also ended up signing for Naturena.
The kings ended up winning the bronze but Baartman looks like his adaptation to Naturena is taking longer than expected.
This player came to Makhosi and there was a lot of excitement about him and he was even given the number (11) which is usually given to players who show more than others in Makhosi.
This season, 19-year-old Baartman played for Chiefs six times in different competitions, but did not score a goal.
When he spoke to the media recently, Baartman did not hide that he was struggling but he quickly accepted that what happened to him is the life of a young player in a team that is considered big.
Baartman stands out in the national youth teams.
“I was happy that my dream came true when I joined the Chiefs, but it’s also clear to me how much work I have to do before I find a place in the scheme,” said Baartman.
“All the young boys in Mzansi dream of playing for teams that are considered hundreds, but the truth is that coming to Chiefs is like a beginning.
“This is where the work starts from the bottom because the place in the scheme is contested by groups that are considered to be hundreds.
“I am proud of myself for coming to the Chiefs but I will not hide the fact that it is not fun to watch others play when you know that you are not injured anywhere.
“Even if that idea comes, you should quickly remember that in order to play, a certain player must be removed from those who do not have all the experience to start every game.
“All these difficulties I learned in my first season in the senior team, so in the second I should be better.
“What is clear is that I have to continue working and forget about other things until my turn comes.”
Baartman, who grew up in Spurs nursery school in Cape Town, there is no question that he is one of the players who will rely on the new coach of Makhosi as the team confirmed that the acting players, Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef will be fired. Word has spread that the Chiefs have started looking for a new coach.