Chiefs loanee Zwane scores winner as Dolly makes Hope FC debut

Kaizer Chiefs loanee Samkelo Zwane scored the decisive goal as Hope FC beat North West University 1-0 in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

The victory moved Clayton Daniels’ side up to fourth place, with six points from their opening three matches. Keagan Dolly also made his debut for the Cape Town outfit in a match in which Hope FC secured their second win of the season.

Hope FC made the ideal start on the road, taking the lead in the sixth minute. Zwane received the ball from a Lyle Lakay corner before firing a low shot into the corner of the net.

That early goal proved enough to settle a closely fought contest, with Hope FC holding on to claim all three points against North West University.

The result leaves the Immortals three points behind league leaders Magesi FC after three games. Their two victories so far have helped them make a strong start to the campaign, while the narrow defeat of North West University further strengthened their position in the early standings.

Zwane, 24, has been given an opportunity to revive his career after finding it difficult to establish himself as a regular in the Kaizer Chiefs first team. He spent last season on loan at Siwelele FC, where he made seven appearances.

His move to Hope FC has now produced an important early contribution, with his finish against North West University providing the only goal of the game.

Dolly’s appearance was another notable moment for the club as the former Kaizer Chiefs player made his first outing for Daniels’ team. His debut came alongside appearances for two other players on loan from Amakhosi.

Pheko Phago featured for Hope FC, while Naledi Hlongwane, who plays for Kaizer Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge squad, was also given a run during the match.

Hope FC will now prepare for a high-profile local fixture. Their next assignment is the Cape Town Derby against Cape Town City on Saturday, 12 September.

The club have also opened talks with Kaizer Chiefs over a midfielder and have shown interest in a Chiefs striker, adding to the developing links between the two clubs. For now, however, the focus will be on maintaining their position near the top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship table after Zwane’s early strike delivered another valuable result.