This recognition marks his fifth appearance in the Team of the Matchday in the 2023 season, showcasing his consistent excellence on the field.

The former Maritzburg United player scored a total of eight goals in MLS play and 17 goals across all competitions during the 2023 season. This indicates his effectiveness in front of the goal.

His improved finishing abilities have caught the attention of the league, making him one of Major League Soccer’s most exciting attacking players this season.

In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, Hlongwane is noted for his tireless work rate and willingness to help in defence. This well-rounded approach makes him a valuable asset to the team.

With 11 total goal contributions in MLS play, Hlongwane is leading the team in goals scored and is second in assists with three.

He has played over 2,000 minutes for Minnesota United this season, starting in 25 matches and registering an impressive 75 scoring attempts.

Hlongwane’s performance and development in the 2023 season appear to have made him a key player for Minnesota United, and his future in Major League Soccer looks promising.

Maritzburg United drew 1-1 with Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld to move out of the drop zone by one point.

Marumo Gallants and Chippa United are on 29 points and will take on Swallows and Golden Arrows respectively.

“Golden Arrows players are under scrutiny and of course Marumo Gallants is playing Swallows – their players have to play on their toes, they really have to be professional because the whole world is going to watch,” Davids told Supersport TV after the match.

“Are they going to give them the game? You don’t want to say that – but what coach Kwane Kopo was insinuating is that they entire country are going to be watching with hawk eyes.

“Can they win the game in a proper way? Is Swallows going to push for the top eight or is someone going to slip on the edge of the box and they score? The entire country will be watching these games. I hope it’s a live stream on both games.”

Maritzburg United conceded an early goal against Mamelodi Sundowns before Jose Ali Meza made it 1-1 with less than 20 minutes remaining. If Marumo Gallants and Chippa United win on the last day of the season – Maritzburg United will get relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

“Although it’s a one-point, I commend the players because we reached our 30-point mark – maybe it’s not enough – maybe we will still get relegated,” Davids adds.

“The players have a growth mindset. Step-by-step we are coaching them – we are trying to turn them into men, not only good football players. We are trying to turn them into men so that they can be able to handle the emotional season that they had.

“And if we have to go to the PlayOffs, we will put our chest out and attack with full force. But I’m really proud of the players, proud of the club supporters who came out to see us [against Mamelodi Sundowns].”
By Zola Doda

Shakoane, who served Mamelodi Sundowns for five decades, passed away on Sunday, 7 May and was laid to rest on Tuesday, 16 May.

“It’s been a roller coaster day,” said Mokwena. “Putting Uncle Alex and accompanying him to his last place of rest was very difficult for this football club. A man who served us with aplomb, who was not afraid at any moment to say he was a die hard Mamelodi Sundowns fan.

“He lived for the Yellow Nation – he served the Yellow Nation. It was only just recently when we shared so many good stories. One of the most important things that I did, was to speak to him and Uncle Trott [Moloto] about what Piano and Shoeshine really means.

“The whole lecture lasted for an hour and I got to understand the style of play that is synonymous with this football club. I’m eternally grateful to him for all the lessons and may his soul rest in peace. When we were crowned champions we walked up to the podium – that is why I was emotional.”
By Zola Doda

According to the PSL Prosecutor, Zola Majavu, Kaizer Chiefs and their player, Puso Dithejane appeared before the PSL Disciplinary Committee and pleaded guilty to the charges.

“Kaizer Chiefs and their player, Puso Dithejane appeared before the PSL Disciplinary Committee to answer to charges of fielding a suspended player in the form of Dithejane and Mr Dithejane himself for participating in a match for which he was ineligible to do so,” said the PSL Prosecutor.

“Both of them pleaded guilty as charged and they were subsequently charged accordingly by the DC.

“Regarding sanctions, having listened to the submissions by both parties, the DC has ruled that Kaizer Chiefs to forfeit the DStv Diski Challenge match against Maritzburg United.

“Secondly, Kaizer Chiefs were fined an amount of R10 00 which was suspended for a period of 24 months on condition that during the period of suspension – they are not found guilty of the same offence again.

“Lastly, they were also directed to carry the costs of the DC. The player was further suspended for an additional one match over and above the cautions he has accumulated.”

Orlando Pirates played to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Royal AM at Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers were denied a goal scoring opportunity on the 17th minute when Kermit Erasmus’ shot was cleared off the goal line by Jabulani Ncobeni, who was starting his first game of the season.

Pirates took the lead eleven minutes into the second half when debutant, Relebohile Ratomo’s shot deflected off Elias Pelembe for an own goal.

Menzi Masuku made it 1-1 inside stoppage time to give to deny Orlando Pirates seventh consecutive win.

At Peter Mokaba Stadium, TS Galaxy’s Given Msimango stoppage time penalty denied Sekhukhune United three points. Chibuike Ohizu opened the scoring for the home side 18 minutes into the match.

Cape Town and Golden Arrows played to a 0-0 draw in the only match that failed to produce a goal.
In KZN, Chippa United came from 2-0 down to beat Richards Bay 3-2 in an entertaining match.

Richards Bay took a 2-0 lead thanks to Sakhile Hlongwa and Somila Ntsundwana’s goals. Etiosa Ighodaro made reduced the defeat before Aviwe Mqokozo scored a second half brace to secure three points for the visitors.

At Princess Magogo Stadium, Amazulu came from 2-0 to draw 2-2 with Mamelodi Sundowns. Bongani Zungu punished Usuthu defence when he scored the first goal of the match. Eight minutes after the interval, Peter Shalulile scored his 101 goal from Lebohang Maboe’s pass.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender, Ramahlwe Mphahlele made it 2-1 with a header denying Ronwen Williams a clean sheet. Junior Dion completed the comeback on the 84th minute with a well-taken strike to make the final score 2-2.

At Harry Gwala Stadium, Maritzburg United played to a 2-2 draw against Marumo Gallants in a relegation battle. Brandon Theron and Amadou Soukouna scored Maritzburg United’s goals with Ranga Chivaviro and Mpho Mvelase scoring for the visitors.

Kaizer Chiefs beat Maritzburg United 3-2 at the Harry Gwala with two early goals from Keagan Dolly and Christian Saile as well as a late penalty from Yusuf Maart.

Rafique de Goede and Amadou Sakoumana scored for the home side.

“After scoring the second goal we thought the game was going to be easy,” Zwane told Supersport TV after the match.

“I remember telling the players that Maritzburg United are going to put up a great fight because they are in a position where they want to survive [relegation].

“We knew that at some point that we will either manage the game or get the third goal. After seven minutes, from a dead ball situation, I was telling the players that they [Maritzburg] have good set piece takers that can put good deliveries.

“Like I said, they were going to fight for everything. They want to fight tooth and nail and grind results; it was never going to be about a football that is pleasing to the eye. It was about getting points from their side. We thought the game was going to be easy, we allowed them to gain control and put us under pressure.”

The win is Kaizer Chiefs’ third on the trot and Amakhosi will host Stellenbosch on April 1 after the international break. Despite the win, Zwane believes that there is still a lot of work that his team need to do.

“We still have a lot of work to do, you can’t lead 2-0 and concede two goals and then try to score again. At some point you will make mistakes that will be costly. Look at the goals that we conceded today, we could have done better. We will keep on working and never stop working and helping players improve their game.”

Maritzburg United: Leaner – De Goede, Bhengu, Makume, Cross – Ritchie, Graham, Kimvuidi, Ali Meza – Peprah, Soukouna

Subs: Ndlovu, Ndengane, Samu, Theron, Tlolane, Zuma, Jooste, Human, Palace

Coach: Fadlu Davids

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen – Solomons, Dove, Kwinika, Hlanti – Sithebe, Maart, Shabalala, Dolly – Du Preez, Saile

Subs: Bvuma, Nj, Ngcobo, Dube, Mashiane, Mahlatsi, Matlou, Bimenyimana, Zwane, Duba

Coach: Arthur Zwane

Amakhosi will take on the Team of Choice at the Harry Gwala Stadium, a week after Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup.

Zwane’s side is on position four, level on points with third-placed Orlando Pirates – and both teams are chasing the Caf Champions League spot.

“The guys are paying attention to detail, which is key,” Zwane tells KaizerChiefs.com. “Once you see players so hyped up and focused, you know that we are in the right frame of mind. We are just hoping that lady luck will be on our side in converting the chances that we create.

“When we played them in the Cup game, it took over 100 minutes before we scored our first goal. For 90 minutes, we were on top of them though we did not take our chances and we knew at some point they would drop. This time around, we going to have to do that inside 90 minutes to make sure that we get the result.”

Zwane will be missing his key defender, Siyabonga Ngezana, who is out with suspension. The defender has played 12 out of 22 Chiefs’ league matches this season.

“Not having a consistent line up has been part of our journey this season and we have accepted it, but you know, the players who are given the opportunity when we reshuffle the team always take their chances, which is very key.

“It talks to individual preparations and how the players are always giving their best and we are always trying to strike a balance, when that situation comes up.”

The match will kick off at 20h00.

By Zola Doda

At Chatsworth Stadium
Royal AM 2 (Thabo Matlaba 45 Ruzaigh Gamildien 80)
Sekhukhune United 0
Royal AM got back to winning ways when they beat Sekhukhune United 2-0 with goals coming in each half from Thabo Matlaba and Ruzaigh Gamildien. The win takes John Maduka inside the top eight.

At Harry Gwala Stadium
Maritzburg United 1 (Bradley Cross 53)
Cape Town City 2 (Mduduzi Mdantsane 64 Khanyisa Mayo 68)
With only five wins so far this season, relegation threatened Maritzburg United squandered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at home to Cape Town City. Maritzburg new signing Bradley Cross got his first goal when he tapped in Amadou Soukouna’s cross. But the visitors responded with two quick goals inside four minutes: Mduduzi Mdantsane equalised in the 64th before Khanyisa Mayo made it 2-1 four minutes later.

By Zola Doda

Matsatsantsa, who were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Dondol Stars before playing to a 1-1 draw against Royal AM, got back to winning ways thanks to goals from Kegan Johannes and Grobler.

Gavin Hunt’s side controlled the opening minutes but it was the visitors who almost opened the scoring against the run of play when Wayde Jooste’s free kick was saved goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.

The first half ended goalless.

In the 69th minute, Supersport United broke the deadlock when Bonginkosi Makume’s attempted clearance from Jamie Webber’s cross was headed home by Johannes.

Seven minutes later things got worse for Fadlu Davids’ team when referee, Cedric Muvhali, awarded the home team a penalty after Jooste fouled Thapelo Maseko inside the box.

Grobler’s penalty was saved by Maritzburg United goalkeeper, Leaner Renaldo, but the forward finished the rebound with a well-taken volley for his 100th PSL goal.

The win takes Matsatsantsa 19 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns while remain on position on position 15 on the log.

By Zola Doda

*Image courtesy of Supersport United