Kaizer Chiefs duo offer advice to Luke Baartman

Kaizer Chiefs midfielders Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Mduduzi Shabalala have offered guidance to new teammate Luke Baartman, sharing their insights on how to handle the unique pressures of playing for the Soweto giants.

Baartman, 19, was recently unveiled by Chiefs after the PSL’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) declared him a free agent. This decision came after his former club, Cape Town Spurs, was relegated to the amateur leagues, which his legal team successfully argued voided his professional contract.

However, CT Spurs are reportedly challenging the ruling.

The promising young player was introduced to the Amakhosi faithful at FNB Stadium last Tuesday during the team’s 1-0 win over Richards Bay, a match he watched alongside fellow new signings Asanele Velebayi and Etiosa Ighodaro.

Both Ngcobo and Shabalala, who came through the Chiefs development ranks themselves, stressed the importance of staying grounded.

Speaking at the Kaizer Chiefs Village on Monday as Amakhosi prepare to take on Mamelodi Sundowns in a league tie on Wednesday, Ngcobo praised Baartman’s talent.

“I think he is a great player,” he said. “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.”

Shabalala echoed a similar sentiment, adding, “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.”

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