Kaizer Chiefs trio set to join Hope FC on loan

Kaizer Chiefs are close to agreeing loan moves for Naledi Hlongwane, Samkelo Zwane and Bontle Molefe, with all three players set to join newly promoted Motsepe Foundation Championship side Hope FC.

The proposed deal would give Hope FC the opportunity to add three young Kaizer Chiefs players to their squad, while the club continues preparations for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. An agreement between the two clubs is understood to be close, although the moves have not yet been completed.

Hlongwane is a product of the Kaizer Chiefs development system and represented the club in the DStv Diski Challenge during the 2024/25 season, when Chiefs won the competition.

The young player made his senior debut in August last year, featuring against Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town. His progression through the club’s development ranks has now led to the possibility of a temporary move away from Kaizer Chiefs, with Hope FC set to become his next destination if the loan agreement is finalised.

Zwane has found it difficult to establish himself as a regular member of the Kaizer Chiefs senior side since stepping up from the reserve team. The 24-year-old made his senior debut during the 2022/23 season but has accumulated only slightly more than 1,500 minutes of senior football since then.

He spent the previous season on loan at Siwelele FC, although his playing time remained limited. Zwane featured for only 230 minutes during that spell and is now expected to move to Hope FC on another loan deal.

Molefe was also the subject of discussions over a temporary transfer during the previous season. He came close to joining Real Native FC on a season-long loan, but negotiations between Real Native FC and Kaizer Chiefs broke down at the final stage.

The 23-year-old has struggled to secure a place in the Kaizer Chiefs senior squad over the previous seasons. A move to Hope FC would provide another opportunity for him to continue his development away from Amakhosi.

The three proposed transfers reflect the competition for places within the Kaizer Chiefs first-team squad, with Hlongwane, Zwane and Molefe all having found regular senior opportunities difficult to secure. Hope FC’s promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship has created the possibility of the trio gaining further experience at a higher level of South African football.

Kaizer Chiefs and Hope FC are expected to complete the agreement before the players’ loan moves are confirmed.

Story by Sinethemba Makonco.