Bafana Bafana forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane continues to shine at Minnesota United.
The Major League Soccer is current on the break until 20 August, to make way for the League Cup – a tournament involving teams from the MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
United faced Mexican side Puebla in their opening match, with Hlongwane the star of the show, scoring a brace and setting up one more goal.
Hlongwane scored the first goal of the match after 24 minutes, showing some fine footwork.
But just six minutes later former SuperSport United defender Michael Boxwell received a red card.
It didn’t stop Minnesota and Hlongwane from running riot though, as the former Maritzburg United forward completed his brace to make it 2-0 after 51 minutes.
Bongi sealed his performance by laying an assist to Argentinian international Emanuel Reynoso to make it 3-0 in the 59th minute. Reynoso even completed his brace with a superb free-kick in the 65th minute to make it 4-0.
With this top class performance, Hlongwane took his goal contributions to 13 in all competitions.
He has now scored 10 goals and set up three more, finding the back of the net in three different competitions – the MLS, the US Open Cup and the Leagues Cup.
Meanwhile, Njabulo Blom’s St. Louis City SC lost their opening game of the Leagues Cup 2-1 to Columbus Crew. The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder came on at half-time for Bradley Carnell’s side.
