Luke Baartman headed to Kaizer Chiefs’ DDC team? Kaizer Motaung Jr ends speculation

Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr has ended speculation over whether new signing Luke Baartman will be sent to the club’s DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) team.

Baartman joined Chiefs from Cape Town Spurs after the Glamour Boys won a case against his ex-club that was contesting his signing as a free agent alongside Asanele Velebayi.

The 19-year-old has struggled to get game time owing to his late arrival although Velebayi has since been integrated to the team and started his first PSL match in the 4-1 thrashing of Orbit College on Tuesday.

Baartman had been lined up for DDC team

His limited opportunities were blamed on his late signing as well as the fact that he did not have a pre-season with the team and coach Cedric Kaze had mentioned that the club was considering sending him to the DDC team to get playing time and match fitness.

However, that suggestion landed the Burundian coach in trouble with the Chiefs management reportedly upset that a player they pursued relentlessly and beat stiff competition for was being lined up for a stint in the Reserve League team.

Motaung Jr has finally confirmed that indeed the management does not agree with the technical bench’s assessment, saying Baartman will not be playing in the DDC.

What has Kaizer Jr said over new signing?

“Luke is an amazing talent, I think everyone knows where we come from and the battle that he had with his former club, it’s always amazing to have the best of local talent, so like everyone else, whether it’s Asanele, Luke, we want them to come inside [the club] settle and then hit the ground running with the right environment,” he told iDiski Times.

“He’s a top talent, he’s in the first team and we have big plans for Luke, he’s an exceptional talent and I think everyone saw him with the World Cup U20 team with Mfundo [Vilakazi], so personally, we’re happy with him, progressing very well.

“He has a big heart, amazing talent and a great mentality to have been through what he’s gone through and still come to work everyday, focused, driven and ready – so he’s with the first team, with us and very excited for the day he gets his chance to show his level, he’s not going to the DDC.”

That all but ends speculation over where the highly rated forward will be playing this season and Kaze and his co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef now have the tough task of fitting him into the team.