Keagan Dolly in talks with ambitious Hope FC after Cape Town City exit

Keagan Dolly could remain in Cape Town next season, with newly promoted Hope FC emerging as frontrunners to sign the former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder after his release from Cape Town City.

The 33-year-old, who also starred for Bafana Bafana earlier in his career, was one of five senior players shown the door by City following their failure to secure a return to the Betway Premiership.

Dolly was cut alongside Njabulo Ngcobo, Dzenan Zajmovic, Sifiso Ngobeni and Siphamandla Dondolo as the club moved swiftly to overhaul its squad after a disappointing campaign.

City fall short in promotion push

Cape Town City reached the 2025/26 promotion play-offs from the Motsepe Foundation Championship but finished bottom of the mini-league, which was ultimately won by Milford.

That outcome condemned The Citizens to another season in the second tier and triggered a major clear-out, with experienced figures like Dolly making way.

The attacking midfielder had joined City in an effort to reignite his career in the Championship after being released by TS Galaxy at the end of the 2024/25 season. His latest departure has once again thrown his future into doubt, but interest from Hope FC suggests he may not have far to travel for his next chapter.

Hope FC move early in transfer market

KickOff.com understands that Hope FC, based in the Mother City and newly elevated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, have made Dolly a priority target as they prepare for their debut campaign at that level.

The club, nicknamed The Immortals, is believed to be targeting seasoned professionals with extensive Premier Soccer League (PSL) experience to support an ambitious bid for a historic first promotion to the top flight in the 2026/27 season.

Veteran defender Lyle Lakay has already been seen training with Hope FC after his contract was not renewed by Premiership side Siwelele, underlining the club’s strategy of building around proven campaigners for their maiden second-tier campaign.

Rapid rise for The Immortals

Hope FC’s interest in Dolly follows a breakthrough year in which the Western Cape side clinched promotion by winning the National ABC Motsepe League play-offs.

They defeated North West University of Soccer Institute 5-3 on penalties in the final, after the match finished 1-1 in regulation time, to seal their place in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Their play-off success owed much to a strong PSL core, with the likes of Craig Martin, Ruzaigh Gamildien and the well-travelled defender Clayton Daniels providing crucial experience. Daniels also served as an assistant coach during the campaign, further underlining the importance of leadership figures within the squad.

Buchanan’s role and coaching change

Hope FC are co-owned by former Kaizer Chiefs and Durban City midfielder Keagan Buchanan, whose top-flight background is seen as central to the club’s professionalisation and recruitment drive.

However, the club will tackle the new season with a fresh face in the dugout. They have parted ways with head coach Dylan Deane, the man who guided them to promotion, as they look to reshape their technical team for the demanding step up to the Championship.

With pre-season under way and the 2026/27 PSL campaign only weeks from kick-off, Dolly’s next move is expected to be decided soon. A switch to Hope FC would keep him in Cape Town while offering The Immortals a marquee signing to spearhead their push towards the Premiership.