Out-of-favour Bafana Bafana forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored twice in Minnesota United’s narrow 2-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes in Major Soccer League on Saturday evening.
Despite once again missing out on coach Hugo Broos’ 23-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan, Hlongwane earned himself a Man-of-the-Match award for his efforts as Minnesota moved up to ninth in the log standings.
The former Maritzburg United (now, Durban City FC) frontman broke the deadlock as early as the sixth minute before the hosts equalized through Ousseni Bouda’s 33rd-minute strike. The 24-year-old South African then restored parity for his side in the 63rd minute as the Loons picked up vital three points on the road.
Here’s a look at Hlongwane’s brace:
This was ‘Bongi’s seventh goal with four assists in 26 matches across all competitions this term, as he tries to once again force his way into Broos’ squad having last featured in the 2-0 loss to Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers clash in November 2023.
