Newly promoted Motsepe Foundation Championship side Hope FC has successfully retained the services of veteran stars Ruzaigh Gamildien and Craig Martin ahead of their first season in the professional ranks.
The two experienced players are set to remain with the Western Cape-based outfit as they begin life in South African football’s second division. Their contract extensions come on the back of the club’s historic promotion achieved through the gruelling ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs in June 2026.
Hope FC will participate in the Motsepe Foundation Championship for the 2026/27 season. The club’s primary objective is to maintain its steady growth within the professional ranks and ultimately mount a serious challenge for promotion to the elite Betway Premiership.
In their triumphant journey to securing a National First Division [NFD] spot, both Gamildien and Martin played pivotal roles. Hope FC relied heavily on their extensive top-flight experience, utilising their leadership both on and off the pitch to steady a young squad in high-pressure moments in the third division.
HOPE FC RETAIN RUZAIGH GAMILDIEN AND CRAIG MARTIN
At 37, Ruzaigh Gamildien remains one of the most clinical components of Hope FC’s attacking setup. The veteran centre-forward brought invaluable big-match temperament and a sharp eye for goal during the club’s promotional run.
Having previously featured for top-flight clubs like Moroka Swallows, Royal AM, and Bloemfontein Celtic, Gamildien’s ability to hold up play and guide younger attackers has been a massive asset.
While his fiery competitive edge was on display during the ABC Motsepe National playoffs final against the North West University, where he received a red card, his presence as a lethal spearhead in the box remains undeniable as the team prepares to face tougher defensive lines in the second tier. They were crowned the third-division league national champions after a 5-3 penalty shootout win in the final, following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time, in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
Meanwhile, Martin offers Hope FC a dynamic blend of blistering pace, tactical discipline, and top-flight versatility.
The 32-year-old wing-back has accumulated extensive high-level experience, most notably during his stint with Cape Town City FC and a subsequent spell at Soweto giants Orlando Pirates.
Martin’s transition to Hope FC provided the squad with a relentless work rate on the wing and an added layer of defensive accountability.
His ability to break rapidly from defence to attack will be critical for the club to adapt to the faster, highly physical transition play characteristic of the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
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