Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has admitted that Luke Baartman could feature for the club’s DStv Diski Challenge team before appearing in the first team.
On Wednesday, new signings Asanele Velebayi and Lebohang Maboe were on the bench, while Etiosa Ighodaro started his first game for Amakhosi.
However, there was no sign of the likes of Ethan Chislett, Nkanyiso Shinga and Luke Baartman – with Kaze admitting everyone will get their chances but Baartman could first be registered with the DDC side after missing large parts of the season so far.
“We have around 34 players. There is a process of bringing players to play and to get to know each other, to get to know how we want to play,” he stated, when asked when Chiefs will use all their new players.
“You gave the example of Baartman – first he came, he was not registered, thereafter he went to the World Cup. He didn’t come to the pre-season, which means that in general, he’s missed at least two months with the team.
“I am a coach that believes in the process, which means that a player like Velebayi, he’s come ahead of him [Baartman]. He was on the bench today, he could have played, because he was training with us all the time, even at the time of [U20] World Cup and everything.
“We have 35 players, we have to choose who plays and who who doesn’t play. But at the end, it’s true that if you don’t perform, someone else is going to play. And I’m pretty sure that everyone will get his chance to play.”
After quizzed to explain the Baartman stance, whether he could really feature in the reserve league, Kaze confirmed the technical team are considering it.
“Yeah, it’s, it’s something that we are considering, and as well to help our DDC team to get to better. It’s something that we are considering,” he added.
Chiefs return to action on Sunday when they will host AS Simba in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round qualifier.
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