Bafana Bafana attacker Bongokuhle Hlongwane has extended his stay in the United States of America (USA) by signing a new contract.
Hlongwane, who plays for Minnesota United in the US, will remain at the club until December 2025. The 24-year-old attacker had enjoyed a successful 2023-24 season where he scored 11 goals in 32 league appearances for Minnesota.
Hlongwane has been with Minnesota since 2022 when he was signed from Maritzburg United now known as Durban City. Since then, Hlongwane has featured in 108 competitive matches for Minnesota, scoring 30 goals and assisting in the other 14.
He last played for Bafana Bafana in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against both Benin and Rwanda in November 2023. Hlongwane was never selected by Hugo Broos in any of the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
However, he would hope to return to the national team setup in the near future ahead of the continental tournament at the end of 2025. It is now the off-season in the US, and whether or not Hlongwane will return home and train with any of the PSL teams to keep fit remains to be seen.
“Minnesota United announced today its roster decisions following the conclusion of the club’s 2024 Major League Soccer season,” reads part of the statement on the club’s website.
“MNUFC exercised the contract options for goalkeepers Alec Smir and Dayne St. Clair, defenders Morris Duggan, Anthony Markanich Jr. and Devin Padelford, midfielders Hassani Dotson, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Sam Shashoua, and forward Tani Oluwaseyi.”