Keagan Dolly urges Samkelo Zwane to use Hope FC loan to rediscover his best

Keagan Dolly has encouraged Samkelo Zwane to embrace his loan spell at Hope FC and use regular football to rebuild his confidence, insisting the move to the Motsepe Foundation Championship is not a step backwards.

The 24-year-old midfielder is spending another season away from parent club Kaizer Chiefs, having joined Hope on loan after playing for Siwelele FC in the Betway Premiership last campaign.

Zwane has made a positive start in the Mother City, with the opportunity to play consistently under Hope head coach Clayton Daniels. Since making his debut against North West University in September, he has started every match for the club.

His latest appearance came in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Lerumo Lions at Dobsonville Stadium, where Hope earned a point away from home to take their tally to 10 points from their opening six matches.

Dolly and Zwane were previously teammates at Amakhosi, giving the experienced midfielder a close view of the player’s ability. He believes the current opportunity can help Zwane regain his form and demonstrate what he can offer.

“We all know that Samu is a talented footballer. I think now is the opportunity to show it again,” Dolly told Soccer Laduma.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker also highlighted the increased playing time Zwane is receiving at Hope, saying it could allow him to rediscover the qualities that made him stand out.

“I told him it’s a new environment, a new space. So, it’s for him to find himself again and continue performing, so hopefully he can take this experience and continue working hard and hopefully bring that spark back, the Samu that we all know,” Dolly said.

“But, so far so good. He’s been starting a few games and he has been starting for us, so I think he is getting back to the old Samu.”

Dolly rejects idea of a setback

Dolly does not believe Zwane should view the move from the Betway Premiership to the second tier as a negative, particularly because he remains in professional football and is playing regularly.

The midfielder can also draw on the experience of senior players at Hope, including Dolly, Lyle Lakay, Miguel Timm and Craig Martin.

“It happens everywhere, even in Europe. Certain players, when they feel like they need game time, they move elsewhere in order to grow and get the minutes,” Dolly said.

“I don’t think they need to look at it as a bad thing. It’s still a professional league and the club is still professional. So, he should take this opportunity.”