Orlando Pirates defender Moses Mphekgoane says Hope FC loan is key to his development

Orlando Pirates defender Moses Mphekgoane believes his loan move to Hope FC has given him the experience and playing time needed to take the next step in his career.

The 21-year-old joined Hope at the start of the current campaign after captaining the Buccaneers’ reserve team to their first DStv Diski Challenge title in May 2026.

He has since been competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, South Africa’s second tier, where he has faced older and more experienced players while continuing his development.

Mphekgoane was speaking at the University of Pretoria, where he is with the South Africa U23 squad preparing for their AFCON and 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers against Madagascar.

He acknowledged that adapting to the level of senior football had been a major change but said the move had already brought clear benefits.

“To be honest, it was a bit of a jump, because there are a lot of experienced players there, players who went overseas and won titles with big teams but it’s actually fund for me, I’m learning a lot. I’m just a sponge there at Hope, I keep on learning and growing,” Mphekgoane told journalists.

The centre-back said regular football at Hope had exposed him to situations he would not have experienced while playing solely at reserve level.

“For my career it’s a good jump, it’s a time for me to be able to be exposed to different challenges. NFD is a good level, it’s a hard league, I’m getting more experience, I’m getting game time, I’m seeing different things, I’m learning football differently and I feel like it’s a good step for my career,” he said.

Mphekgoane also feels the intensity of the Motsepe Foundation Championship has helped him arrive at international level fully prepared.

He is one of three players from the second tier in the South Africa U23 squad, alongside Gabriel Amato and Lee Dhakier, who are both from Cape Town City.

The Pirates player believes their performances show that competing in the division has not left them at a disadvantage against footballers based overseas or those playing in the Betway Premiership.

“I don’t think I’m the only player from the NFD (in the U23 squad), Gabriel Amato (Cape Town City) came here, Dhakier (Lee, Cape Town City) is also here and we’re doing a great job I don’t want to lie,” he said.

“I feel like the league is high, the intensity is high, the competition. It gives us an edge even coming here, it’s not like we’re far behind when we’re playing against our teammates, whether it’s players from overseas or players in the PSL,” Mphekgoane added.