Soweto – Kaizer Chiefs midfielders Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Mduduzi Shabalala have taken young forward Luke Baartman under their wing as he begins life at the Soweto giants. The duo is helping the 19-year-old manage the pressure and expectations that come with representing one of South Africa’s biggest clubs.
Baartman was unveiled as a Chiefs player on Tuesday, August 19, after the Premier Soccer League’s Dispute Resolution Chamber declared him a free agent. The ruling followed Cape Town Spurs’ relegation to the amateur ABC Motsepe League, which his legal team argued nullified his professional contract in line with National Soccer League rules.
The decision has sparked tension as Spurs confirmed they will contest the matter at the SAFA Arbitration Tribunal. They are also appealing a similar case involving Asanele Velebayi, another new Chiefs recruit and former Spurs teammate of Baartman.
Chiefs supporters got their first glimpse of Baartman, Velebayi and Etiosa Ighodaro at FNB Stadium last week when the club paraded the trio before their Betway Premiership clash with Richards Bay FC.
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