Ex-CT City star inspires Hope FC to play-offs

A former Cape Town City star's bid for a PSL return has remained alive, after Hope FC won the Western Cape ABC Motsepe League stream.

Registered as Seapoint Swifts but was rebranded Hope FC, the Western Cape outfit finished at the top of Stream A at the end of a regular season, by five points ahead of second-placed Hanover Park.

Hope FC were competing for the first time in the third-tier and outclassed established teams such as Cape Town Spurs, who had suffered back-to-back relegations and ended up in third place in the same stream of 13 teams, ten points behind the leaders.

Hope FC will have therefore qualified for the provincial play-offs, where they will come up against Stream B winners, Diadora FC for a place in the national play-offs.

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At the forefront of Hope FC's charge to make history for themselves is captain Craig Martin, formerly with Orlando Pirates and Chippa United.

Martin joined the club at the beginning of the season after he was released by Chippa United and did not get a contract after training with Durban City during the off-season.

Hope FC also has the experience of the likes of well-travelled striker Ruzaigh Gamildien in their ranks, with former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Clayton Daniels also forming part of the technical team, under head coach Dylan Dean.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Keagan Buchanan is the Chairman/CEO of the club, at the age of only 34.

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Buchanan retired in July 2024 after Spurs were relegated from the Betway Premiership.

Stream A of the Western Cape ABC Motsepe League also has traditional big names such as Santos, who finished seventh on the log, equal on points with Vasco da Gama (both sides have one game remaining.