The Burundi Football Association still hopes to convince Nestory Irankunda to play for the country of his parents after the teenager agreed a move to German giants Bayern Munich.<\/span><\/p>\n The 17-year-old Adelaide United forward was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania and now lives in Australia, and has represented his adopted country at under-17 level.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n He has already been part of the senior Australia set-up, having been an unused substitute for the Socceroos during two friendlies against Ecuador in March.<\/span><\/p>\n “We’d love him to play for Burundi but he holds the key – he might or might not come play for us,” Burundi FA president Alexandre Muyenge told BBC Sport Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n “He has Australian citizenship, but his parents are from Burundi.<\/span><\/p>\n “The Burundi FA started tracking him when he was 14 years old and I got a chance to visit him in Adelaide. We spoke and I wished him well.”<\/span><\/p>\n A speedy winger and skillful dribbler with a powerful shot, Irankunda signed a long-term contract with Bayern on Tuesday which will begin on 1 July next year.<\/span><\/p>\n Burundi’s men are 142nd in the Fifa world rankings and have only qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations once, finishing bottom of their group in 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n However, Muyenge says the emergence of Irankunda shows the country has the potential to produce top players and improve their fortunes.<\/span><\/p>\n “Burundians – especially soccer lovers – were very happy to hear Nestory has been signed by Bayern Munich, a big club known all over the world,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n “The youth in Burundi are inspired by him because it shows there’s talent [here].<\/span><\/p>\n “The only challenge that exists is how they can show this talent, how to develop this talent. But the youth are looking at him knowing anything is possible.”<\/span><\/p>\n The Irankunda family, having fled conflict in Burundi, moved to Perth when Nestory was an infant before relocating to South Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n Irankunda joined Adelaide United aged 15 after being spotted playing for Adelaide Croatia Raiders by United’s head of youth football Airton Andrioli.<\/span><\/p>\n He made his A-League debut in January last year, before turning 16, and now has nine goals in 39 games in all competitions for the club – making him the most prolific goalscorer under the age of 20 in the Australian league’s history.<\/span><\/p>\n Following his achievements in his adopted country he said joining Bayern was “a dream come true”.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s obviously a great feeling,” Irankunda, who will be 18 on 9 February, said.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m really excited to be able to get the opportunity I’ve been given to try something.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’ve worked hard to try and make my family proud. They’ve been showing their support throughout my time and it obviously means a lot to have that support.”<\/span><\/p>\n Bayern’s director of youth development Jochen Sauer said Irankunda had been on the club’s radar for some time.<\/span><\/p>\n “We’re convinced by his potential and that he will take the next steps with us,” he told the club website.<\/span><\/p>\n Adelaide United boss Carl Veart says Bayern, who have won 33 domestic league titles and the European Cup\/Champions League six times, have “a great history of developing young players”.<\/span><\/p>\n “I know Nestory wants to hit the ground running when he gets there,” Veart added.<\/span><\/p>\n “This is what his next seven months here at Adelaide United is all about, getting him ready to make that next step.”<\/span><\/p>\n Given Irankunda has already been on the bench for Australia at senior international level, Burundi may face an uphill battle to persuade the teenager to switch allegiance.<\/span><\/p>\n However, he was omitted from the squad for upcoming Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers and national coach Graham Arnold is cautious over the future of a player touted as one of the country’s most exciting ever prospects.<\/span><\/p>\n Asked by reporters if Irankunda could one day reach the same levels as Socceroos greats Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill, Arnold replied: “It’s way too early to speak about that.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s a pathway that Nestory needs to go on and it’s a tough pathway.<\/span><\/p>\n “But he’s going to a fantastic club in Bayern Munich that really want to help and develop kids along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n “Nestory has great qualities, but at the same time it’s a pathway where he needs to believe in himself, he needs to work extremely hard, both on and off the field.”<\/span><\/p>\n Veart is also keen that not too much pressure is placed in Irankunda’s young shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n “He’s an exciting young player and it’s important that we understand that he’s still quite a young player,” the 53-year-old said.<\/span><\/p>\nMaking the family proud<\/h3>\n
![\"Nestory](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/02B5\/production\/_131739600_gettyimages-1774176466.jpg\")
<\/span><\/span>Is Irankunda the next Australian great?<\/h3>\n
![\"Nestory](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/E8C9\/production\/_131739595_gettyimages-1259087121.jpg\")
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