Bongokuhle Hlongwane
![]() Hlongwane with Minnesota United in 2022 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 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 | 73 | (13) |
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 |
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]
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 |
- ^ Appearance(s) in relegation play-off
- ^ Appearance(s) in MTN 8
International
- As of match played 17 June 2023[10]
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.
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 June 2021 | Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa | ![]() |
2–1 | 3–2 | Friendly | [11] |
2 | 6 September 2021 | FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa | ![]() |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | [12] |
3 | 17 November 2022 | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa | ![]() |
1–1 | 2–1 | Friendly | |
4 | 2–1 |
References
- ^ "Bongokuhle Hlongwane". MLS. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ a b c Wa Ka Mabasa, Tiyani (29 July 2019). "Hlongwane on fast track to success". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ Richardson, James (27 May 2021). "Thabiso Kutumela and Bongokuhle Hlongwane do Maritzburg proud". The South African. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ "Mamelodi Sundowns target Bongokuhle Hlongwane pens new Maritzburg United contract". Kick Off. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ "Minnesota United Signs South African Forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane". MNUFC.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ Said, Nick (28 July 2019). "Lesotho shock Bafana Bafana in CHAN qualifier at a packed Setsoto Stadium". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ Vardien, Tashreeq (10 June 2021). "Bafana Bafana debutants Makgopa, Hlongwane inspire comeback win against Uganda". sport24. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ Ayamga, Emmanuel (6 September 2021). "South Africa 1-0 Ghana: Black Stars lose in Johannesburg after disappointing performance". pulse.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ "B. Hlongwane: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ "Bongokuhle Hlongwane". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ "South Africa vs. Uganda - 10 June 2021". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ "South Africa vs. Ghana - 6 September 2021". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
External links
- Bongokuhle Hlongwane at Soccerway
- Bongokuhle Hlongwane at WorldFootball.net