Hlongwane to reject Sundowns

Bongokuhle Hlongwane. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

‘GAME-CHANGER’: Why Minnesota United FC signed Hlongwane

Bongokuhle Hlongwane was signed by MLS side Minnesota United due to his ‘physical attributes, raw talent and football intelligence’.

Hlongwane to reject Sundowns

Bongokuhle Hlongwane. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

On Wednesday, Minnesota United confirmed that Bafana Bafana international Bongokuhle Hlongwane had signed from Maritzburg United on a three-year contract with a “one-year club option”.

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Hlongwane will be the club’s first U22 initiative signing and will join the Loons pending a physical and receipt of his P1 Visa and ITC. 

MNUFC head coach Adrian Heath showered praise on Hlongwane as he explained the thinking behind the decision.

“The one thing we’ve spoken about is getting someone with game-changing pace on this roster,” Heath commented.

“He has absolutely explosive pace, but he also looks to combine and build with his teammates. We love his raw talents, but his football IQ is exceptional.

“Ask any defender what scares them and who the hardest players to mark are and inevitably its someone with intelligent movement and pace and we feel he possesses both of these qualities.

“He’s got huge upside; he’s now broken into the South African national team and we’ve spoken to his national team coach and he says it’s only the tip of the iceberg for what’s to come.

“He will be a work in progress for the club, but his physical attributes, his raw talent and football intelligence are impressive. We’re pleased to sign him, we know there was competition to get him and so we are pleased he’s a Loon.”

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Hlongwane was nominated for the South American Premier Division Player of the Season award for the 2020-21 season. Internationally, the South-African international made his national team debut in 2019 and has two goals in six appearances.

He scored his first international goal in 2021 against Uganda and scored the game-winning goal against Ghana in a World Cup Qualifier. 

BONGOKUHLE HLONGWANE STATS AND FACTS:

Name: Bongokuhle Hlongwane 
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 20, June 2000
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 75kg
Last club: Maritzburg United
Birthplace: South Africa
Citizenship: South Africa