The Bafana Bafana striker was a beneficiary of the MLS U22 initiative to support further investment in young prospects, and has burst onto the scene at Leagues Cup 2023. He scored third brace in three games against Columbus Crew to give him the status of top scorer in the tournament with six goals, already matching his current MLS tally in Leagues Cup play.
He then scored again in the round of 16 to level Lionel Messi in the goalscoring charts, and will go again in the quarter-finals against Nashville with a chance of reaching the semi-finals of Leagues Cup 2023.
Hlongwane comes from Pietermaritzburg, in South Africa, and was described by his parents as a “shy, respectful, and obedient child,” but was something different on the soccer fields. “We would find videos of him singing and behaving in a way we never saw him do in the house,” explained his mother, “he was almost like a different person.”
He learned his craft as many young players do in the neighbourhood where they lived. “He used to play in the streets with the other boys in the area, and then in the grounds and for his school team,” Hlongwane’s mother added. “As he kept growing, so did his soccer skills.”
After rising through the school leagues the striker was picked up by Maritzburg United, where he started playing for the first team in 2019. After establishing himself, it was soon clear Hlongwane wanted to go out of his comfort zone and make the move to MLS. “My dream was to play outside of South Africa, I wanted to leave my comfort zone.”
The U22 Initiative has allowed MLS clubs to sign up to three young players, aged 22 and younger, to lucrative contracts at a reduced budget charge, decreasing the risk associated with acquiring or retaining players who were still approaching their prime. As a foreign young player, Hlongwane was eligible when he signed his contract with Minnesota.
After joining Minnesota United in January, the Bafana Bafana man has been steadily impressing, but his form exploded in Leagues Cup 2023. Scoring in every game, the man from Pietermaritzburg is now rivalling Lionel Messi in the golden boot race. He’ll have the chance in the quarter finals to keep up with the 2022 World Cup winner.
