Bongokuhle Hlongwane

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.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane
Hlongwane with Minnesota United in 2022
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-06-20) 20 June 2000
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 55 (10)
International career‡
2019– South Africa 15 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 September 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 June 2023

Club career

Maritzburg United

Hlongwane grew up in Nxamalala, 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
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Maritzburg United 2018–19 SAPD 2000002[lower-alpha 1]141
2019–20 142100000152
2020–21 21310001[lower-alpha 2]0233
2021–22 162000000162
Total 537200031588
Minnesota United 2022 MLS 30230—00332
2023 2583257003317
Total 55106257006619
Career total 1081782573112327
  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 teamYearAppsGoals
South Africa 201910
202172
202242
202330
Total154
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. 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.
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