Hope FC ‘not rich’ despite high-profile signings, says chairman Keagan Buchanan

Hope FC chairman Keagan Buchanan says the newly promoted Motsepe Foundation Championship club is “not rich” despite recruiting a number of established names, and has called on potential investors and sponsors to support the ambitious Cape Town-based side.

Hope secured promotion to the professional ranks after winning the ABC Motsepe national playoffs in July. Since then, the club has attracted considerable attention with a series of notable additions to its squad.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns utility left-back Lyle Lakay and ex-Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm are among the most prominent players to join the club.

Hope have also added promising young players from Kaizer Chiefs, including Samkelo Zwane and Bontle Molefe. The scale and profile of the recruitment has led to speculation that the club has significant financial backing.

Buchanan, a former midfielder who played for Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic, rejected that suggestion. He said the club’s ability to attract players had instead been built on relationships and a structure that appealed to potential recruits.

“We are not rich, but we have good relationships with important people. My relationship with a lot of the guys we have signed also helped. We’ve created a model that makes us attractive to players,” Buchanan told Sowetan.

The chairman also revealed that Hope’s management had so far been funding the club from its own resources, while urging businesses and individuals to invest in the project.

“We are looking for people who want to invest in the brand. So far it has been about managing our budget from our own pockets. We encourage sponsors to come and help us,” Buchanan said.

Hope are coached by former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Clayton Daniels. The club made a winning start to its Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign at the weekend, beating University of Pretoria 1-0 in the Mother City.

The club’s operational status is linked to RLabs, a social enterprise organisation co-founded by Marlon Parker and Rene Parker.

Hope’s recruitment drive comes as they begin life in the professional game following their success in the ABC Motsepe national playoffs. Their early-season victory over University of Pretoria was one of eight matches played in the opening round of results.

The other Motsepe Foundation Championship results were:

– Lions 2-2 Gomora – Bees 1-2 Highbury – Leicesterford 1-0 Orbit – Midlands 0-1 Magesi – North West 1-1 Upington – Native 2-1 CPT City – Venda 1-1 Lerumo