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.
.jpg) 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 | |||
Club career
Maritzburg United
Hlongwane grew up in Nxamalala,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 | ||
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 |  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
External links
- Bongokuhle Hlongwane at Soccerway
- Bongokuhle Hlongwane at WorldFootball.net