Kaizer Chiefs send Pheko Phago and Naledi Hlongwane to Hope FC on loan

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed that young midfielder Pheko Phago and striker Naledi Hlongwane will join Cape Town-based Hope FC on loan for the 2026/27 season.

The pair become the latest Amakhosi players to move to the newly formed Motsepe Foundation Championship side, following midfielder Samkelo Zwane and goalkeeper Bontle Molefe, who recently completed loan switches to Hope FC.

Kaizer Chiefs announced the departures on Wednesday, confirming that Phago and Hlongwane would spend the campaign with the club in Cape Town.

“Kaizer Chiefs can confirm that midfielder Pheko Phago and striker Naledi Hlongwane will move to Cape Town-based Hope FC for this season,” Chiefs stated on Wednesday.

“The duo will link up with fellow Amakhosi Youth Development Academy graduates Samkelo Zwane and goalkeeper Bontle Molefe, who also recently joined the newly formed side competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship under the PSL umbrella.

“Wishing the boys well in the Mother City.”

Phago and Hlongwane’s moves mean that four Kaizer Chiefs players have now joined Hope FC on loan for the current campaign. All four are graduates of the Amakhosi Youth Development Academy.

The loans provide the youngsters with the opportunity to continue their development at a club competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, which operates under the PSL umbrella. Hope FC are based in Cape Town and are taking part in the competition during the 2026/27 season.

Hope FC made a winning start to their campaign last weekend, recording a 1-0 victory over AmaTuks. The result gave the new side three points in their opening match of the Motsepe Foundation Championship season.

The club have also appointed former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Clayton Daniels as their new head coach. Daniels will oversee a squad that now includes the four Kaizer Chiefs academy graduates, with Phago, Hlongwane, Zwane and Molefe all linking up at Hope FC.

Kaizer Chiefs wished Phago and Hlongwane well as they begin their temporary spells in the Mother City. The club had already confirmed the loan departures of Zwane and Molefe before announcing the latest two agreements.

The arrangement gives Hope FC additional players from the Amakhosi Youth Development Academy as they continue their first campaign in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, while Kaizer Chiefs will monitor the progress of the four players during the 2026/27 season.