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	55	(7)
2022–	Minnesota United	98	(21)
International career‡
2019–	South Africa	19	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 March 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 November 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 9 March 2025 ^[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	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	1
	Total		53	6	2	0	0	0	3	1	58	7
Minnesota United	2022	MLS	30	2	3	0	—		0	0	33	2
	2023		30	8	3	2	5	7	0	0	38	17
	2024		35	11	—		2	0	0	0	37	11
	2025		3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
	Total		98	21	6	2	7	7	0	0	111	30
Career total			151	27	8	2	7	7	3	1	169	37

1. Appearance(s) in relegation play-off
2. Appearance(s) in MTN 8

International

As of match played 21 November 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	7	0
Total		19	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. 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.

External links

• Bongokuhle Hlongwane at Soccerway
• Bongokuhle Hlongwane at WorldFootball.net