Minnesota United’s coach has reacted to Bongokuhle Hlongwane playing a starring role in their 4–1 victory over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
Hlongwane finally opened his goal-scoring account for the season — and there couldn’t have been a more high-profile opponent to do it against than Inter Miami.
Read: Zamalek 'offered coaching target' R25 million a year
The South African star netted the opening goal in the 32nd minute, while Messi also got on the scoresheet in the 48th minute. However, it wasn’t enough to prevent his side from slipping to defeat.
Minnesota head coach Eric Ramsay admitted that Hlongwane’s goal was the result of work done on the training ground.
Ramsay told The Minnesota Star Tribune: "When we’re a team at our best, I want us to be controlled enough in possession that we can get Bongi on the last line, or the wingbacks on the last line, and we can look far more of an attacking threat in general play than we sometimes do — and I felt like that was a really good example of that today."
Ramsay added: "I’ve always said I’m a coach that I want to be pragmatic.
"I want to be able to look at a group of players that we have in front of us and find the way that is most optimally suited to them winning a game of football.
"If we’re going to win games of football against a team like them, it’s going to be in that way."
Read: Wydad 'decide' on Rulani's replacement for CWC
By Lukhanyo Mtuta
Follow him here on X
