Kaizer Chiefs sweat over fitness of key forward ahead of Stellenbosch clash

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/baartman-luke/bmSfODcl/"]Baartman[/a] has been in good form for the AmaKhosi this season in what could be a breakthrough year after several false starts to his young career.[/p][p]The 20-year-old has featured in all eight games that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/kaizer-chiefs/fFZ2CGx0/"]Chiefs[/a] have played under coach Fernando Da Cruz, who clearly likes what he sees in the former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cape-town-spurs/QaZCKNG1/"]Cape Town Spurs[/a] academy product.[/p][p]But he might miss the home clash with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/stellenbosch-fc/fJsWcA5b/"]Stellenbosch FC[/a] next Tuesday after picking up an ankle injury with the Under-23s, Chiefs have confirmed.[/p][p]His absence could be offset by the return to fitness of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/silva-flavio/b3sjRGgl/"]Flavio Silva[/a] afetr the Guinea-Bissau forward missed most of this season with injury. [/p][p]Baartman is in his fourth season as a professional but his career has stuttered along to date.[/p][image alt="Luke Baartman's topflight career statistics" id="9f217541-d6fa-48f5-9d6f-4b07b8b48f27" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="0c028db2-9350-4443-8b60-f75cc3d0368b" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]When he burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old with Spurs in 2023, there was an immediate ‘wow’ factor as he made his debut in a 2-1 win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/orlando-pirates/p4SF9EMI/"]Orlando Pirates[/a].[/p][p]Those in the know in Cape Town football circles had spoken of his talent for a few years, but he came through in a struggling Spurs side that were ultimately relegated that season.[/p][p]He played a bit-part role in their Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign the following year, which also ended in relegation, making two starts in 12 appearances before moving to Chiefs for the 2025/26 campaign.[/p][p]He made one start in seven appearances as experience was preferred over youth, but his place in the team for the opening games of this campaign will hopefully be a turning point.[/p][p] [/p][infobox id="584d9683-f419-4696-8cb3-c155213092a0" /]