Orlando Pirates have agreed a deal to sign highly rated Hope FC winger Edmilson Chaney, with the teenager set to remain on loan at the Cape club for the coming season.
The Buccaneers are understood to have moved ahead of several Betway Premiership rivals to secure the 19-year-old, who shone in the SAFA ABC Motsepe League and helped Hope FC clinch promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
According to iDiski Times journalist Sinethemba Makonco, Pirates concluded the transfer before immediately sending Chaney back to Hope FC on loan for the duration of the 2025/26 campaign.
The move is part of a broader relationship between Pirates and the Motsepe Foundation Championship side, with Lonwabo Magugwana heading in the opposite direction to join The Immortals.
Breakthrough season at Hope FC
Chaney, known by the nickname “Millies”, came through the Cape Town Spurs academy system before signing for Hope FC ahead of their debut 2025/26 season.
The right-footed winger from Bishop Lavis made an immediate impact at his new club, scoring on his competitive debut in October 2025 and quickly emerging as one of South Africa’s most eye-catching young wide players.
Over the course of the campaign he played a central role as Hope FC won the Western Cape title in the SAFA ABC Motsepe League and secured promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
His combination of pace, direct running, composed finishing and creativity in the final third drew attention from scouts across the top flight, particularly during Hope FC’s promotion push.
Interest from Premiership rivals
Chaney’s performances in the national playoffs in Mthatha proved especially influential, as he scored important goals against FC Ravens and NC Professionals to keep Hope FC’s promotion bid on track.
Those displays are understood to have accelerated interest from several Betway Premiership clubs, with Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu and TS Galaxy all reportedly monitoring the winger and considering a move.
However, Pirates ultimately won the competition for his signature, tying up a deal while allowing the player to continue his development with regular game time at Hope FC.
The agreement means Chaney will remain in familiar surroundings in the Western Cape while being lined up as a prospect for Pirates’ future squads.
Recognition at international level
Chaney’s rise has not gone unnoticed at national team level. His form for Hope FC earned him a preliminary call-up to the South Africa Under-20 squad ahead of the 2026 COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship.
The inclusion reflects his status as one of the leading young attackers in the country after a standout breakthrough season.
With the transfer to Orlando Pirates completed and a full campaign in the Motsepe Foundation Championship ahead, Chaney now has the platform to push for a permanent place in the Under-20 set-up while positioning himself for a future role in the Buccaneers’ first team.
