Bayern Munich’s recent acquisition, the dynamic Nestory Irankunda, faced the crucial decision of selecting his international allegiance among Burundi, Tanzania, and Australia. Born on February 9, 2006, in Kigoma, Tanzania, to Burundian parents Gideon Irankunda and Dafroza, the talented winger has apparently chosen to represent one of the countries.
Nestory Irankunda’s potential choice to represent Burundi on the global stage becomes evident through his Instagram story, where he shared the Burundian flag alongside the caption “See you Soon.” Despite AfrikPage’s attempts to seek clarification by reaching out to the player, no feedback has been received thus far.
The 17-year-old, who secured a transformative contract with Bayern Munich from Adelaide United, holds eligibility to play for Tanzania, Australia, or Burundi. Irankunda ‘s family history includes fleeing from Burundi to Tanzania due to his older sister’s illness and the civil war turmoil. Despite a childhood that saw him relocate to Perth and later Adelaide in Australia, where his passion for football blossomed, Irankunda played two official matches with the Australian U17 team, maintaining the option to switch national teams according to FIFA Regulations.
Bayern Munich officially unveiled the signing of Nestory Irankunda on November 14, 2023, describing him as a Tanzanian-born talent with shades of Alphonso Davies. The 17-year-old, who made his A-League debut at just 15, has showcased remarkable progress. Irankunda’s career highlights include becoming the second youngest goal-scorer in the league’s history and, by the end of the 2022/23 season, accumulating five goals in 19 games.
Despite not starting a fixture for Adelaide until the 2023/24 season, Irankunda made an impactful full professional debut, scoring in the Australia Cup victory over Northcote City. His impressive record at the Under 17 level for Australia includes 11 goals in seven caps, setting the stage for a potential senior debut. In March 2023, he trained with the senior squad and, although not making a senior appearance, left a lasting impression.