A boy’s dream of playing goalie in the PSL was almost derailed after his club kicked him out for being too short.

Despite this, Leathan Croats (25) of Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain was still playing when his new club, Hope FC, only 8 months old, won the Motsepe Foundation Championship last week.

Mitchells Plain beginnings

Hope FC sprang from a Westridge-based youth-development organisation, Rlabs in Westridge.

Its manager Marlon Parker explained: “Hope FC was really born from the same philosophy that gave birth to Rlabs, that every young person deserves an opportunity to realise their God-given potential. For years we’ve worked with thousands of young people through education, entrepreneurship and technology, but we also recognised that sport is one of the most powerful vehicles for transformation. Football has the ability to unite communities, build character and create pathways where many young people had previously seen none. The club emerged as an extension of our mission to restore dignity and create opportunity. It is not simply a football club; it is a community movement that uses football as a platform for leadership, education and economic participation.”

Last week the club won the Motsepe Foundation Championship and secured promotion through the ABC Motsepe League national play-offs in Mthatha, Eastern Cape on Saturday 7 June.

For Croats the win brings his national playing dreams closer.

A goalkeeper who would not give up

Croats began his football journey at the age of 6, playing for Golden United in the LFA. His talent earned him a place in the Ajax Cape Town academy, where he trained for six years.

But Ajax told him he was too short to be a goalkeeper and let him go.

“I told myself I’m not going to let that get to me,” the Mondale High alumnus said. “I have a goal. I have a dream, and I’ve always wanted to play professionally, so I’ll just have to keep going regardless of what Ajax told me.”

He went on to play for Cape Town City and other clubs before signing in the National First Division. Croats was based in Pretoria but was unhappy, far from home and not getting enough time on the field.

“I was not gonna be living in Pretoria feeling unhappy. I’d rather come back home and play for a team where I have the support of my family around me all the time.”

He joined Hope FC in January this year, one of five players from Mitchells Plain on the team.

“The goal has always been to become a PSL player,” he said. “This is just one step closer to me working for that goal.”

The plan that paid off

According to Soccer Laduma Hope FC sealed their spot in the Motsepe Foundation Championship by beating NC Professionals 4-1 in the national playoffs on Saturday 7 June, having come back from 1-0 down at half-time. They then won the national playoffs title by beating North West University 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Club co-founder and former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Keagan Buchanan told Football Stage that the win was no surprise to him.

“I’m overwhelmed. All glory to God. It’s been a journey, but that’s what we do it for. The players, the supporters, everybody back home. Rlabs, Marlon, Rowan, Rene, job done.”

Promotion had always been the plan, he said. “I think we put together a project. The team we put together, the structure, the former professionals, the coaching staff, backroom staff. We knew that from the beginning. We were not there just to be there. We wanted to compete. We had a plan.”

Buchanan credited the squad’s experienced players with helping the team through difficult moments.

“I think if you look at the experience we have in the changing room, that’s all you need to know,” he told Football Stage. “We have the likes of Clayton [Daniels], Ruzaigh [Gamildien], Craig [Martins], and Masilakhe [Phohlongo]. I’m grateful that the boys showed character and showed the whole of South Africa what they’re about.”

Looking ahead, Buchanan said the promotion opens doors for young players.

“There’s now a pathway for the young kids to come into another professional set-up, so we’re happy.”

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