Bafana Bafana frontman Bongokuhle Hlongwane has shared his experience of scoring in snowy weather conditions for the first time in his football career.
This comes after the Major League Soccer [MLS] side Minnesota United‘s opening encounter of 2023 was played under snow flurries at Allianz Field.
But, South Africa-born striker reckons that it wasn’t easy for him to bask in the snowy weather.
Interestingly, Hlongwane scored the only goal for Minnesota to play out a 1-1 draw with New York Red Bulls over the weekend. And He went on to win the Man of the Match accolade.
The 22-year-old footballer was able to take advantage of Miguel Tapias’ deflection from a corner kick.
BONGOKUHLE HLONGWANE SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE OF PLAYING IN SNOWY WEATHER
When Hlongwane was asked if he had played in snow before, the ex-Maritzburg United man replied: “No, it’s my first time.”
“I wasn’t happy, but I played. It’s my job, so I have to respect it whenever I have to.”
“D.J. [Taylor] had been telling me ‘It’s going to snow,’ even Fraga [Franco Fragapane] said that to me ‘Did you check the weather?’ and I was like ‘No, I didn’t.’ It had been snowing so I was like ‘Oh, okay.’ Then I came and I was like ‘No,’ but we did it.”
BONGOKUHLE HLONGWANE HAPPY TO SCORE IN FRONT OF MINNESOTA UNITED FANS
Hlongwane went on to express his delight to have scored on the day, especially in front of the Loons fans.
“It means a lot to me because I was able to score in front of the Loons fans, in our first game of the season at home. So yeah, I feel happy,” Hlongwane explained.
Meanwhile, Minnesota boss Adrian Heath added: “It was a good ball. We had been talking for a couple of days that the near post area was a little vulnerable.
“And obviously, Micky [Miguel Tapias] got on it. It was a good goal. At the end of the day, the team had some good set pieces.”
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