Hope FC head coach Clayton Daniels says Kaizer Chiefs loanee Samkelo Zwane is close to returning to action after a midfield reshuffle kept him out of the starting line-up in the second-tier league.
Zwane made a bright start to his loan spell in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, scoring the goal that earned Hope all three points away to North West University FC in September. But the midfielder has struggled to regain his starting place since the 1-1 draw away to Lerumo Lions in October.
Daniels has moved Brandon Theron into midfield alongside Xhosa Manyana, with the experienced Craig Martin shifting back to right-back. The Hope coach was pleased with the control his midfield showed against Hungry Lions in their most recent game this past Saturday and explained how a more comfortable lead could have given him a chance to bring Zwane on.
“Yeah, very close to playing a game. But as you can see, in this game, we had a little bit of control in the midfield. If you scored two or three goals, then I can bring him in to get his confidence back, to bring him up to speed again. But yeah, he is also going to be an important player for us this season. So it’s all the players.”
Zwane came through the Kaizer Chiefs academy and was part of Amakhosi’s senior squad before joining Hope on a season-long loan in August. He made the move alongside fellow Chiefs academy graduate Bontle Molefe, a goalkeeper.
Molefe has made just one appearance for Hope FC, deputising for first-choice goalkeeper Dejean Ah Shene, who was sidelined by injury. Ah Shene came through the ranks at Stellenbosch FC and played a key role in their back-to-back DStv Diski Challenge title wins.
ORLANDO PIRATES LOANEE IMPRESSES ON HOPE FC DEBUT
While Zwane waits for his chance, Orlando Pirates loanee Moses Mphekgoane made his competitive debut for Hope against Hungry Lions on Saturday. The 21-year-old slotted in at centre-back and helped the Immortals keep a clean sheet.
Mphekgoane captained Pirates’ reserve side to their first DStv Diski Challenge title. Off the pitch, he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
“I have a big squad of 30 players, so everyone is putting in the effort. You see, today [Saturday], I gave Moses his debut as a centre back, and he did really well at the back,” Daniels added.
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