Chiefs’ Baartman Reveals: My Preferred Position Is…
Kaizer Chiefs attacker Luke Baartman is currently in the national under-23 squad. Image: Gallo Images
Kaizer Chiefs attacker Luke Baartman has revealed which position he prefers playing in.
Baartman, who is currently in the national under-23 team for the two international friendlies against Algeria’s under-23 side, has been used mostly on the left wing by Amakhosi head coach Fernando da Cruz.
Playing on the left wing allows him to cut into his favoured right foot to either create opportunities for teammates or take shots at goal.
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The former Cape Town Spurs player, however, prefers being in the box as a number nine, where he can get more opportunities to hit the back of the net.
“You know, if you come from a great structure and a great development side, you will be able to play everywhere upfront. For me, my position is number nine and after that is false nine,” he told the media earlier this week from the under-23 camp.
Baartman is enjoying game time under Da Cruz, featuring eight times in all competitions for Amakhosi. After a tough first season of hardly getting game time last season, the 20-year-old is spending more time on the pitch, and his confidence will keep on growing.
“It’s for me to listen to him (Da Cruz), and I think he is helping me a lot with doing better and getting better.
“Thing is, there is pressure, but it’s how you handle it. I think I can handle it and you can see that so far I am doing great. Playing for a big club like Chiefs is a massive honour. From where I come from in Cape Town, it’s very big to play for a club like Chiefs.”
The national under-23s are set to play Algeria in Bloemfontein today and again this weekend. The games are part of the preparations for the 2027 U/23 Africa Cup of Nations, which will serve as qualifiers for the 2028 Olympics.
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