Hlongwane joined Minnesota United ahead of the 2022 season as a U22 player after spending his professional career in South Africa with Maritzburg United.
During the 2024 campaign, “Bongi” continued his scoring ways. Earning himself a spot in the Starting XI for MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 30. After his stellar performance against the San Jose Earthquakes, bagging a brace in a much-needed 2-1 victory to keep Minnesota in the 2024 Audi MLS playoffs. Where he notably scored his eighth and ninth goals, recording his second MLS regular season brace. The South African forward played in his 100th match across all competitions against FC Cincinnati on September 18. Then, Hlongwane went on to score his 10th goal of the regular season against St. Louis CITY SC, an MLS-career high, becoming the fifth different Minnesota United player to record a double-digit scoring season and the third in the last three years. He ended the 2024 regular season leading the club in goals scored (11) while providing a total of four assists.
He put on quite the show during the 2023 season, especially in the 2023 Leagues Cup tournament. Hlongwane was the runner-up to Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) for the Golden Boot after notching seven goals. He secured a brace in both matches of the Group Stage against Club Puebla (LIGA MX) and Chicago Fire FC, another against Columbus Crew in the Round of 32, and a single goal against Deportivo Toluca. Coupled with his scoring streak in Leagues Cup, Hlongwane scored eight goals in the 2023 regular season, just behind Teemu Pukki, the team’s leading scorer. He scored two goals in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, as well.
In 2022, Bongi was a part of the attacking quartet that had the Loons on a 13-game scoring streak from June 19 through August 27. He scored his two goals of the year in that timeframe, knocking his first one in at the Houston Dynamo, earning him an MLS Team of the Week appearance. The 23-year-old scored his second goal the following game, a 4-4 draw at Allianz Field against the Portland Timbers. He finished the season third in assists for the Loons, with four. Hlongwane missed the final games of the regular season due to injury but returned to the Loons starting lineup for the club’s 2022 MLS Cup Playoff game at FC Dallas.
He made his professional debut at age 18 and scored eight goals and provided seven assists in four seasons. The attacker scored his first professional goal in June 2019 against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila. Hlongwane was nominated for the South American Premier Division Player of the Season award for the 2020-21 season.
INTERNATIONAL: The South African international made his national team debut in 2019 and has scored four goals in 15 appearances. He scored his first international goal in 2021 against Uganda and scored the game-winning goal against Ghana in a World Cup Qualifier.
