A Minnesota United fan celebrated Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s goal with a fascinating shirt message ‘Keep Saint Paul Bongokuhle’ on Sunday morning.
The Bafana Bafana winger had notched the opener, which was later cancelled by two goals as they went down 2-1 to Orlando City.
But the message from the stands was clear after what Minnesota United’s social media admin captioned ‘Bongi with the banger’.
‘KEEP SAINT PAUL BONGOKUHLE’
A tweep named Jeff Underbridges showed off his t-shirt inscribed ‘Keep Saint Paul Bongokuhle’ moments after the goal.
Hlongwane scored his second goal of the season in the 58th minute as his MLS outfit suffered a second straight loss. They remain winless at home in three matches this season.
Underbridges’ t-shirt message begged the question as to what his message was. But, thanks to a Google search, St Paul is the capital of the US State of Minnesota, where Hlongwane’s team is based.
It is situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River and is home to the club’s die-hard fans. Perhaps the message to the Pietermaritzburg-born star was that he ought to make the city of St Paul happy.
The South Africa international has made five starts this season, scoring twice and picking three man-of-the-match awards.
On Sunday, he was again named man-of-the-match, with his coach Adrian Heath saying he was a constant threat to the opponents.
WHAT COACH HEATH AND FANS SAID ABOUT HLONGWANE
Addressing the media after the game, Heath said he couldn’t substitute Hlongwane because he was a threat in attack. He had 11 shots, four on target, and was fouled 16 times.
“Bongi has had a couple of opportunities, he has scored a goal…. I can’t take him off… We thought there might be a pocket of space for him to be able to run with the game,” Heath said.
One Nick tweeted: “Hello MNUFC, I’m a Bongi Ultra”, while Joshua’s reaction to the goal was “, What a goal”.
When City pulled one back, Minnesota United tweeted: “Orlando rudely steals Bongi’s spotlight. 1-1.”
Hlongwane got 80% of the fan’s votes ahead of his teammate Kervin Arriaga to win the Man of the Match award.
The loss leaves Minnesota United in sixth place after seven games. They have won three, drew twice and lost twice.
NJABULO BLOM’S ST LOUIS CITY
In another MLS fixture, Njabulo Blom’s St Louis City bounced back to winning ways with an emphatic 5-1 win over Cincinnati.
The Bradley Carnell-coached side had lost the last two games but were uncompromising against Kamogelo Mokotjo’s former team.
St Louis shot back to the top of the table after eight games played. They won six and lost two.
Blom was a notable absentee in that tie after sustaining a groin injury. He is expected to be out for six weeks.
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