Minnesota United attacker Bongokuhle Hlongwane has broken his silence on his surprising snub from Bafana Bafana’s AFCON team.
The former Maritzburg United frontman was not part of coach Hugo Broos‘ final 23-member squad to represent South Africa at the 2023 AFCON tournament held in Ivory Coast.
Hlongwane’s omission from the Bafana squad got some football fanatics arguing that the gifted goalscorer would have added more experience to Broos’ side’s attacking options going into the tournament.
The 23-year-old footballer was a key member of the Bafana squad during the AFCON qualifiers and helped them qualify for the prestigious tournament.
BONGOKUHLE HLONGWANE ON BAFANA BAFANA AFCON SNUB
Hlongwane has had his say on how he felt when he wasn’t selected for the national team.
“Well, I won’t say I felt bad or something you know. But I think that’s how football is and that’s how life is,” said Hlongwane in an interview with FARPost.
“Sometimes you have to expect such things to happen in your life, but that doesn’t have to stop you from working hard or focusing on what you do because that’s how life is. And it’s not going to be always nice or everything is going to come easily in your life. So, you have to expect some bad things in between.
“But, I was kind of disappointed and at the same time I was like okay it’s fine, it has happened and I can’t change anything.”
HUGO BROOS NEVER CONTACTED BONGOKUHLE HLONGWANE TO EXPLAIN WHY HE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE SQUAD
When Hlongwane was asked if coach Broos explained to him why he wasn’t selected for the squad, he said: “No, he didn’t call me or reach out. He didn’t give feedback about all those things [reasons behind his exclusion].”
He went on to say that he has nothing to prove to earn his place back in the Bafana squad. The Loons attacker insists there’s nothing wrong with him and he hasn’t dropped his standards.
“No, I won’t do anything because I know I have been doing well. So, the only thing I need to do is continue doing well, nothing else. I mean, I haven’t dropped my standards and I have been consistent,” he added.
“I don’t have to feel bad about not being in the national team. I’m saying this because I know I have been doing well and there’s nothing wrong with me. I’m just going to continue playing my game and helping my team, that’s all I’m going to do.”
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