Hope FC turn to Clayton Daniels for first Motsepe Foundation Championship season

Hope FC are expected to appoint Clayton Daniels as head coach for their first season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after the newly promoted club parted company with Dylan Deane.

Hope secured promotion by winning the ABC Motsepe League playoffs in June. Soon after that achievement, the club announced that Deane, who had been in charge during their successful campaign, would leave his position.

Daniels has reportedly taken charge of Hope’s preparations in recent weeks and is expected to be in the dugout when the Cape Town club begin their Championship campaign next weekend.

The former SuperSport United and Ajax Cape Town defender worked as a player-coach last season. However, the expectation is that he will now concentrate fully on his coaching responsibilities as Hope move into the second tier of South African football.

The club are expected to rely on a group of experienced players to provide leadership on the pitch. Craig Martin, Miguel Timm and Ruzaigh Gamildien are among those expected to take on important roles as Hope adjust to the demands of the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Hope are also set to announce the signing of Siyabonga Nhlapo. The experienced midfielder previously played for Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United, and is understood to be in Cape Town preparing for the new season with the newly promoted club.

Nhlapo’s arrival would add further experience to a squad preparing for a significant step up after its promotion from the ABC Motsepe League. Hope’s decision to place Daniels at the centre of the project would also give the club continuity from last season, when he combined his playing duties with coaching.

Their opening fixture is scheduled to be a home match against University of Pretoria on 22 August. The game is expected to take place at Athlone Stadium, with both teams likely to hand debuts to new signings.

The fixture will provide Hope with their first opportunity to measure themselves against established opposition in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. It will also mark the beginning of a new chapter for the club following their playoff promotion, Deane’s departure and the anticipated transition to Daniels as head coach.

Although the appointment has yet to be formally announced, Daniels’ involvement throughout pre-season means he is expected to lead Hope from the bench when the season gets under way.