Bongokuhle Hlongwane

Bongokuhle Hlongwane
Hlongwane with Minnesota United in 2022
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-06-20) 20 June 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth South Africa
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Position(s) Forward, winger
Team information
Current team
 Minnesota United
Number 21
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Nxamalala Fast XI
2019–2022 Maritzburg United 53 (7)
2022– Minnesota United 91 (21)
International career‡
2019– South Africa 15 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 June 2023

Bongokuhle Hlongwane (born 20 June 2000) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Minnesota United and the South African national team.

Club career

Maritzburg United

Hlongwane grew up in Nxamalala studying at Umthoqotho High School, Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg and played for Nxamalala Fast XI in the SAFA Regional League before joining Maritzburg United's academy.[2] He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 defeat to Orlando Pirates in April 2019 and scored his first goal for the club a month later against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the relegation play-offs.[2] He was nominated for the South African Premier Division Young Player of the Season award for the 2020–21 campaign.[3] In July 2021, he signed a new one-year contract with the club.[4]

Minnesota United

On 5 January 2022, MLS club Minnesota United announced the signing of Hlongwane to a three-year contract with a one-year club option.[5]

International career

Hlongwane was first called up to the South African national team in July 2019,[2] and made his international debut on 28 July as a substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Lesotho.[6] On 8 June 2021, he made his second appearance and full debut for South Africa against Uganda and scored his first international goal following a "fortunate deflection" in a 3–2 win.[7] On 6 September 2021, he scored against Ghana in a World Cup qualifier as South Africa won 1–0.[8]

Career statistics

Club

As of 21 September 2023[9]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Maritzburg United 2018–19 SAPD 2 0 0 0 0 0 2[a] 1 4 1
2019–20 14 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 15 2
2020–21 21 3 1 0 0 0 1[b] 0 23 3
2021–22 16 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 2
Total 53 7 2 0 0 0 3 1 58 8
Minnesota United 2022 MLS 30 2 3 0 — 0 0 33 2
2023 25 8 3 2 5 7 0 0 33 17
Total 55 10 6 2 5 7 0 0 66 19
Career total 108 17 8 2 5 7 3 1 123 27
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in relegation play-off
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in MTN 8

International

As of match played 17 June 2023[10]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
South Africa 2019 1 0
2021 7 2
2022 4 2
2023 3 0
Total 15 4
Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hlongwane goal.
List of international goals scored by Bongokuhle Hlongwane
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 10 June 2021 Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa  Uganda 2–1 3–2 Friendly [11]
2 6 September 2021 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa  Ghana 1–0 1–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification [12]
3 17 November 2022 Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa  Mozambique 1–1 2–1 Friendly
4 2–1

References

  1. ^ "Bongokuhle Hlongwane". MLS. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Wa Ka Mabasa, Tiyani (29 July 2019). "Hlongwane on fast track to success". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  3. ^ Richardson, James (27 May 2021). "Thabiso Kutumela and Bongokuhle Hlongwane do Maritzburg proud". The South African. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns target Bongokuhle Hlongwane pens new Maritzburg United contract". Kick Off. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Minnesota United Signs South African Forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane". MNUFC.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  6. ^ Said, Nick (28 July 2019). "Lesotho shock Bafana Bafana in CHAN qualifier at a packed Setsoto Stadium". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  7. ^ Vardien, Tashreeq (10 June 2021). "Bafana Bafana debutants Makgopa, Hlongwane inspire comeback win against Uganda". sport24. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  8. ^ Ayamga, Emmanuel (6 September 2021). "South Africa 1-0 Ghana: Black Stars lose in Johannesburg after disappointing performance". pulse.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  9. ^ "B. Hlongwane: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Bongokuhle Hlongwane". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  11. ^ "South Africa vs. Uganda - 10 June 2021". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  12. ^ "South Africa vs. Ghana - 6 September 2021". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 24 October 2021.