Hope FC see ‘special’ potential in Kaizer Chiefs loanee Hlongwane

Hope FC coach Clayton Daniels believes Naledi Hlongwane can become a key player for the club in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, although the Kaizer Chiefs loanee must first improve his fitness.

The 21-year-old striker is one of four Kaizer Chiefs players sent to Hope on loan this season, with the move designed to provide them with regular professional football in South Africa’s second tier.

Hlongwane made only two appearances for Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership last season, featuring in the opening and final matches of the campaign.

He joined Hope shortly before the new season began in August, having missed nearly two months of pre-season training with the Cape outfit. That delayed his integration into the squad and he has not yet started a match for his new club.

Hlongwane made another substitute appearance on Friday as Hope drew 1-1 with Lerumo Lions at Dobsonville Stadium.

Daniels says the forward has been introduced gradually as he adapts to the team and increases his conditioning.

“He is a very special boy. We still struggle with his fitness. He came probably in week six or seven to us, when we were almost done with our pre-season. He came to join us and I bring him in slowly but surely to understand the culture and to understand the other players and to integrate him,” Daniels told Soccer Laduma.

“You can see when he is one versus one on the side, he is very sharp. He is a strong boy, but we need to work on his fitness. But he is going to be special for us in this league.”

Hlongwane has so far been used on the left wing, and that is expected to remain his main position for Hope during the season.

Daniels calls for patience

Although Hlongwane has shown promise, his effectiveness in the final third has occasionally been affected by his decision making. There have been instances when he has passed despite having a shooting opportunity, while on other occasions he has attempted to score when a team-mate was better placed.

Daniels believes those choices will improve as the player develops confidence through regular involvement. However, the coach says Hlongwane has not yet played enough football for him to decide whether to use him as a central striker.

“That is (about) confidence. Decision making, you are right, but that will come with confidence. I haven’t seen enough of him to say I will start with him up top as a striker, but it will take time.”