Hope FC sign former Cape Town City striker Cee-Jay Bezuidenhout

Hope FC have completed the signing of former Cape Town City striker Cee-Jay Bezuidenhout as the ambitious Motsepe Foundation Championship club strengthen their squad following promotion.

The 21-year-old joins Hope FC as a free agent after leaving Cape Town City, where he made 15 appearances and scored once. He will wear the number 19 shirt for The Immortals.

Bezuidenhout could make his debut against his former club this coming weekend, when Hope FC face Cape Town City in the Cape Derby. The fixture will be the first official meeting between the two sides.

The new signing is one of several players to have moved from Cape Town City to Hope FC. He follows Xhosa Manyana, Keagan Dolly, Nande Wetbooi and Miguel Timm, who have also joined the newly promoted side after leaving the Citizens.

Hope FC head into the derby with confidence after claiming a 1-0 victory over North West University in their latest match. Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Samkelo Zwane, who is on loan at the club, scored the only goal of the game.

Cape Town City also recorded a positive result before the meeting, beating Hungry Lions 2-1 at home.

The contrasting backgrounds of the two clubs give the fixture added interest. Cape Town City are the established side, while Hope FC are beginning life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after earning promotion. Their first competitive encounter will therefore provide Bezuidenhout with the possibility of making his Hope FC debut against the club he recently represented.

The striker’s arrival adds further attacking depth to a Hope FC squad that already includes several players with connections to Cape Town City. His previous record with the Citizens was limited to 15 appearances, but the move gives him an opportunity to establish himself at a club entering a new stage of its development.

The match will also bring together teams arriving after wins in their previous fixtures. Cape Town City’s home success against Hungry Lions saw them score twice, while Hope FC’s narrow victory over North West University was secured by Zwane’s finish.

With both clubs having won their most recent games, the Cape Derby will be contested with momentum on each side. For Bezuidenhout, it could mark the start of his Hope FC career against familiar opponents and former team-mates.

Hope FC’s recruitment has already included a number of players who previously represented Cape Town City, and the signing of Bezuidenhout continues that trend. He is now set to compete for a place in the team as the club prepares for its first official match against the Citizens.

The Cape Derby is scheduled for this coming weekend.