Luke Baartman puts Kaizer Chiefs form down to hard work

Kaizer Chiefs and SA U23 midfielder Luke Baartman says his regular involvement for the club this season is the result of his commitment in training.

The 20-year-old has featured in eight matches for Amakhosi across all competitions, starting five and coming on as a substitute in three. He has scored once.

His performances have led to a place in the SA U23 squad for two friendlies against Algeria in Bloemfontein on Thursday and Sunday. The matches form part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming Olympic qualifiers.

Baartman views the international call-up as an opportunity to establish himself on the international stage, but knows he must continue earning playing time at club level.

“It has been a great start for me, playing all the games so far in the league. Now it’s just up to me to keep on working and keep on getting game time,” he told the media in Pretoria on Tuesday.

“If I don’t play, I’m not going to get called up.”

The attacking midfielder also credited new Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz with helping him develop during the season.

“It’s up to me to listen to him, then get better and better,” Baartman said.

His progress has been particularly significant after an injury ruled him out of the previous Amajita squad that won COSAFA and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Baartman had been involved in the team’s preparations for those competitions before suffering the injury. He said he now wanted to make the most of the opportunity with the SA U23 side by helping it secure qualification for the Olympics.

“I was with the team when we prepared for COSAFA and the Africa Cup of Nations, but I got injured. I worked hard and went to the Fifa World Cup. Now we’re back again,” he said.

Baartman believes representing the national team can have a major impact on a player’s career and stressed that continued improvement would be essential.

“You can change your career when you play for your national team. Now I’ve just got to keep on working and getting better and better.”

He also spoke about the significance of playing for Kaizer Chiefs after growing up in Cape Town.

“Playing for a big club like Chiefs, it’s massive. And where I come from, in Cape Town, it’s also very big to play for a club like Chiefs.”