Cape Town Spurs forward Luke Baartman became the second youngest goalscorer in PSL history after netting against Kaizer Chiefs in a 3-2 defeat.
At 17, Baartman was already behind Mamelodi Sundowns striker Siyabonga Mabena, who set the record this season as the youngest goalscorer in the PSL at 16 years and seven months.
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The Spurs academy graduate was featuring in only his second league game and his third match overall for the senior team after making his debut against Orlando Pirates, off the bench, in a Carling Knockout last 16 clash.
The manner in which Baartman took his goal against Chiefs, with precise technique and power, who had one of the best goalkeepers to come out of the country, Itumeleng Khune in goal, had football fans tipping the youngster as one of the next big stars and there is already sentiments from supporters that he is destined for Europe.
It is perhaps ironic that one of the games that propelled former Spurs striker, legendary Benni McCarthy into national prominence was after he scored a brace against Amakhosi away on loan at the Urban Warriors from Seven Stars in 1997 at the age of 19.
A brace against the Glamour Boys was part of a meteoric rise that saw McCarthy named as the best Player of the Tournament and Top goalscorer at the subsequent African Youth Championship and eventually earned a move to Ajax Amsterdam in the same year after their merger with Cape Town Spurs, which became Ajax Cape Town.
Baartman was a prolific goalscorer in the Spurs youth teams and at some point reportedly set an unbelievable record of 84 goals in one season. 'Boere' as the teenage forward is known, was part of the South Africa U17 squad that competed at the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, where Amajimbos reached the quarter-finals.
Spurs interim coach Sean Connor says Baartman is a great prospect but he needs to put his feet on the ground to reach his potential.
"He is a 17-year-old and we need to keep his feet on the ground. But he is a good prospect and he sniffs some goals like he did against Chiefs," Connor told reporters.
"My job is to keep his feet on the ground, keep him focused and get him to the next level where I believe he can go," he added.
Spurs will next be in action on Sunday away to Richards Bay, where they will be hoping to keep on reviving their season.
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