SA star Bongokuhle Hlongwane added another feather to his cap at Minnesota United in the MLS, a moment made even more special by the presence of his mother, Sherly Bhengu, and baby brother, Gift Bhengu, in the stands.
The 25-year-old scored a brace in three minutes on the 60th and 63rd minutes as Minnesota United beat Houston Dynamo FC. Hlongwane walked away with the Man of the Match award for his efforts.
Robin Lod added to Hlongwane’s two goals as they won 3-1 in a match played at Allianz Field on Thursday morning.
With the brace, the former Maritzburg United star surpassed Emanuel Reynoso for the second-most regular-season goals in the club’s history. Hlongwane has now scored 24 regular-season goals, while Reynoso has 22 under his belt. This season, the SA star has scored three goals and provided one assist in the 19 matches he has played.
What made the moment even more special on Thursday was the presence of Hlongwane’s mother, Sherly Bhengu and baby brother Gift Bhengu, in the stands. They visited him, and will be in the USA for three weeks.
WHAT SA STAR BONGOKUHLE HLONGWANE SAID AFTER IMPRESSING IN FRONT OF HIS MOTHER
And when he scored his first goal, the Bafana Bafana star jumped to the stands to celebrate with his loved ones. Reacting to the heartfelt moment, Hlongwane said he was overjoyed.
“Yeah, it means a lot, and I’m so happy. I’m so happy. I couldn’t celebrate the way I wanted to, and I couldn’t do my celebration, but I just ran to them, and I was happy for them to be here,” he said.
“So I was happy because they were here, and I was able to perform in front of them. I wish they can be here, each and every home game we play, maybe they are my lucky charm. I don’t know, but hopefully they’ll be here for the next one. Just like every morning, I leave them at my place, saying I’m going to training. It shows what I will be doing in training.”
Asked about being deployed as a wingback, Hlongwane said: “I feel like sometimes playing as a wingback, it’s not my position. But I had to adjust because the coach wanted me to play there. He knew why he wanted me there, so I had to deliver.
“Yeah, so for me, if he put me wherever he wants, I would try to respect whatever he says. Even if I’m against it because it’s not my position, I would show up in that position and try to give 100 per cent.
“I think as much as maybe I’m helping when we defend, but I don’t think that’s my strength to defend. My strength is playing up there next to the goal. And being able to create for my teammates, create for myself, score goals to help the team.”
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