Former Chiefs man in full Blom at St Louis

Njabulo Blom gave a Man-of-the-Match performance, including a superb winning goal as St Louis SC won 2-1 at Minnesota United in the USA’s Major Soccer League on Saturday.

Blom rifled a brilliant finish into the top corner of the net in the 73rd minute as the away side completed a comeback win.

OUR SOUTH AFRICAN KING!! 👑 🇿🇦

📺 https://t.co/UbzgPiAuSz pic.twitter.com/Wnrpgu6HLO

— x – St Louis CITY SC (@stlCITYsc) September 24, 2023

The 23 year-old was also named on Saturday in Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos’ preliminary squad for next month’s friendlies against Swaziland and the Ivory Coast. And he can only have improved his chances of making the final squad for these friendlies, as well as the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Broos didn’t pick Blom in his final squad for the recent friendlies against Namibia and DR Congo, saying he was getting inconsistent game time at St Louis. He has, however, been picked regularly in the starting line-up of late by head coach Bradley Carnell, himself a former Bafana international.

First ever goal

St Louis are currently eight points clear at the top of the Western Conference, and this was Blom’s first ever goal for the club he joined this season.

Sam, Jabs. Same 😁 #AllForCITY pic.twitter.com/z5cuF5da92

— x – St Louis CITY SC (@stlCITYsc) September 24, 2023

“First ever goal, I’m happy,” Blom told St Louis FC media after the match.

He later added that he was shocked by his teammates’ response to his goal.

“Honestly, I was so surprised to see their reactions.”

“Usually, in training, I hit those off the bar or over into the street, so I think they were just shocked that it went in,” Blom said, according to US journalist Justin Horneker.

Njabulo Blom on the reaction to his goal, "Honestly, I was so surprised to see their reactions."

"Usually, in training, I hit those off the bar or over into the street, so I think they were just shocked that it went in." #allforcity

— Justin Horneker (@hornekerjustin) September 24, 2023

Bafana attacker Bongokuhle Hlongwane was on the opposite side of the pitch to Blom, and while he was unable to get on the scoresheet for Minnesota United, he is also having a breakout season in the MLS. Hlongwane has 17 goals in all competitions this season, and will also be hoping to make the final Bafana squad for next month’s friendlies.