While Cape Town Spurs' exciting youngster Luke Baartman would love to continue playing in the top tier, the youngster says he won’t be demoralised by playing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC).
Baartman, 18, was one of the revelations of last season when the Urban Warriors were campaigning in the Premiership before they were swiftly relegated back to MFC.
The teenager’s exploits didn’t just earn him plaudits in local football scenes, but it also saw Baartman gaining admirers outside South African borders.
The Cape-born starlet was linked with English Championship side Leeds United and Scottish outfit Glasgow Celtic.
Speaking to Sowetan while on camp with Amajita, the youngster said he heard about possible offers, but he is solely focused on the mission at hand which is to help Spurs gain promotion back to the Premiership.
“I think there were offers, but I still have a contract with Spurs and if those teams are interested in my services they need to go and speak to Spurs,” Baartman said.
“I don’t know if it is true but I have seen on social media people saying that Stellenbosch is one of the teams that want me.
“If it doesn’t happen, it’s still fine. I will stay at Spurs and continue to work hard.”
The teenager believes the fact that experienced mentor Ernst Middendorp stayed with the team after relegation gives them a better chance of achieving a swift return to the top.
“We have a good coach and the players like him the way he is. It was important for the club to keep him for continuity and stability,” Baartman said.
“He’s a bit strict but that helps us as his players because we know that we must be disciplined, always. We can do it with him because we have the same structure.”
Spurs will kick off their MFC campaign with a trip to the University of Pretoria at Tuks Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday at 15:00.
Luke ‘Boere’ Baartman(17), a product of the Cape Town Spurs youth academy has scored his first PSL goal!
— Cape Town Spurs FC (@CapeTownSpursFC) November 9, 2023
Luke made his debut appearance on 20 October 2023 against Orlando Pirates.
On the 8 November 2023 Luke nets his first PSL goal against Kaizer Chiefs.
The future is bright! pic.twitter.com/jI7md5GJcI
