Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane finds comfort in quest for first MLS goal

At age 22, Minnesota United ahead Bongokuhle Hlongwane is 9,000 miles from his South African dwelling and midway by a primary season of missed possibilities and nil targets.

“I am all on my own,” Hlongwane stated Friday.

On Monday night, he wasn’t.

Minneapolis-based nonprofit Arm in Arm in Africa held a celebration that night time, reuniting its board members, donors, volunteers and mates for the primary time for the reason that pandemic struck for a sold-out fundraiser.

A particular visitor of honor, Bongokuhle arrived early and stayed late for a gathering that featured South African and American meals and music beneath an enormous tent at a northeast Minneapolis cidery and taproom.

“It felt like I am dwelling,” Bongokuhle stated because the Loons ready for Saturday’s sport in opposition to D.C. United. “I noticed a few of the individuals from South Africa. Simply to make use of my language for a couple of minutes, it did. Not like right here, talking English.”

Bongokuhle has began the final three video games and 9 of 20 he has performed on this season. He might have scored a number of targets to this point, however remains to be ready that first MLS celebration.

He has three assists, the latest an unselfish go to star playmaker Emanuel Reynoso for a objective in a June 29 victory on the L.A. Galaxy.

“We have seen him in coaching, so we all know he can rating targets,” Loons coach Adrian Heath stated. “As soon as he will get one, it will make him loosen up and begin taking part in instinctively slightly than overthinking as a result of he desires that first objective so badly.”

Bongokuhle stated he’s “simply taking part in” and “not occupied with scoring.” He stated he simply desires to assist his staff “go ahead,” presumably actually along with his pace that pushes the Loons’ tempo.

“You have seen a few of the possibilities,” he stated. “I am not pondering damaging about that. Perhaps the change will come then. Hopefully, I will have the ability to rating. The one factor in my thoughts is assist the staff going ahead.”

At Monday’s fundraiser, Bongokuhle spoke for 20 minutes in Zulu, his first language, with AIAIA board member Olga Xapile earlier than she returned dwelling on Friday. She oversees Arm in Arm’s work to supply meals, healthcare and schooling in Cape City’s poor townships and rural Malungeni, not removed from Nelson Mandela’s birthplace.

“I discuss to her, I used to be blissful to satisfy her,” Bongokuhle stated.

He stood and clapped to the music. He stayed longer than anticipated for a program and leisure that included a reside band, a singer and Minnesota Orchestra trumpeter Charles Lazarus.

“The music was good, you recognize?” Bongokuhle stated. “They did some music from South Africa. The meals was good. I loved.”

He’s acclimating to such a distinct continent, tradition and local weather — and at such a younger age.

Bongokuhle has taken his personal picture at Walmart and different well-known American websites and emailed them to his dad and mom as an image postcard of types. He additionally has posted such photographs and proven off his vogue sense on his Instagram account.

“He has executed terrific,” Heath stated. “I do not assume individuals notice how troublesome it may be, to depart the continent the place he is from. He is extremely standard with the fellows.”

Bongokuhle stated he has tailored properly as a result of he wanted to take action.

“It has been good as a result of I haven’t got a selection, so I’ve to simply accept it,” he stated. “Typically it is laborious, typically it is not as a result of I’ve my teammates.”

Heath calls Bongokuhle’s English “good” and provides, “My Zulu isn’t too good.”

Neither apparently is Bongokuhle’s Spanish all that good, however that does not deter him.

“He sits on the South American desk and would not communicate a phrase of Spanish,” Heath stated. “However he appears to grasp all the things that is occurring and there is at all times numerous laughter at that desk.”