After making his debut as a second half-substitute in Kaizer Chiefs’ Betway Premiership clash against TS Galaxy last Sunday, attacking midfielder Luke Baartman expressed his delight at finally donning the famous Gold and Black jersey on the field of play.

Cape Town-born Baartman joined Amakhosi earlier this season but had to overcome legal challenges involving his former club before being cleared to play by SAFA’s arbitration panel.

“It felt good to be back on the field and it was a proud moment for me to wear the Chiefs jersey,” said the 19-year-old. “After training hard for the past few months, it was rewarding to finally play for this great institution.”

He added that the warm reception from thousands of Amakhosi fans at the Mbombela stadium made the occasion even more special.

Reflecting on his performance after coming on for George Matlou in the 80^th minute of the pulsating match, Baartman admitted it was “okay” considering his lack of recent competitive action. “Though it wasn’t easy, since I haven’t played for a while, I feel I contributed to the attack as we tried to unlock Galaxy’s defence,” he said.

Nicknamed ‘Boere’, the youngster believes the Glamour Boys did enough to win the match despite being denied a victory by the officials. The team registered 25 shots on target but did not to score, had one legitimate goal ruled offside, and a strong penalty appeal after a foul on Dillan Solomons waved away.

Looking ahead, Baartman is eager for more game time in the new year and has vowed to continue working hard during the current Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break.

“I wish our supporters happy festive holidays and a Merry Christmas. We look forward to seeing them in numbers again after the break as we resume our league and Confederation Cup campaigns,” he concluded.

Kaizer Chiefs will kick off 2026 with a fixture against Lamontville Golden Arrows on 20 January at FNB Stadium, before travelling to Zambia to face Zesco United in the CAF Confederation Cup a few days later.