Bafana Bafana star Bongokuhle Hlongwane has gone a bit under the radar in the United States since his move in January, and now with the 2022 Major League Soccer season set to end, here's a look at what this season has entailed off the pitch.
The story
Admittedly, Hlongwane has struggled to maintain any sort of consistency in the MLS. Perhaps fortunately, he has been trusted by his manager Adrian Heath, who has given him 29 appearances this season in the league.
However, his goal contributions have been quite under par for a forward player, as he has only managed seven goal contributions in 33 outings across all competitions. It is not doom and gloom for the former Maritzburg United star, as he remains a promising player given his relatively young age of 22.
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How's life off the pitch?
Moving from the generally warm temperatures of KwaZulu-Natal, we imagine the switch to the usually cold state of Minnesota has been quite a huge adjustment for the player. Also given his age and inexperience, it seems reasonable to think that the Bafana attacker may have had a few difficulties in terms of social life.
Things like culture shock should also be considered when reflecting on the player's exports, as life in the city of 10 000 lakes is far too different to the tropical and vibrant atmosphere of KZN.
Scroll through the gallery below to have a look at Hlongwane's off-field life in the USA.
Did you know?
Hlongwane gained acclaim in the local game when he was nominated for the PSL Player of the Season award in the 2020/21 season.
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Your thoughts, please?
How would you rate Hlongwane's first season in the MLS?
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