Cape Town Spurs Technical Director Sean Connor says Luke Baartman is a prospect but needs to be protected.
The 17-year-old forward, who was part of the South Africa U17 squad at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, has enjoyed an impressive professional breakthrough with Spurs.
After starring in the DStv Diski Challenge in the early stages, since Spurs returned to the top flight, he earned his way into the senior team reckoning.
He’s now featured in three games, against Orlando Pirates twice, and Kaizer Chiefs, in which he found his first professional goal against the latter in their 3-2 defeat at FNB Stadium.
“I spoke about him last week, I don’t want to indulge too much about him because as you said he’s a 17-year-old,” Connor said.
“We need to keep his feet on the ground but he’s a great prospect, he sniffs out goals like he did [against Chiefs]. 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.”
The Irishman, who confirmed the club are still in search of a permanent head coach as he now serves as the caretaker, with Vasili Manousakis as the new assistant coach – believes they have a fighting chance of retaining their top-flight status.
Spurs have started poorly with nine defeats and one win, which came against Pirates last week – in their opening 10 games which leaves them eight points from safety where Royal AM occupy 14th place in the South African top-flight with 11 points.
“I don’t think we’re a relegation side, I think some of the football we play is better than a lot of teams above us, I think even earlier on [this season] they were unlucky in a lot of games that I watched, they were punished for mistakes.
“It’s amazing when I took over with seven defeats in a row, yet the confidence within the group, the spirit within the group was strong. I work with them, do we have deficiencies in the squad? Yes we do, but are we the worst squad in the league – I don’t think so.”
Spurs take on Richards Bay this weekend in what is viewed as a relegation six-pointer at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
