This is Australian football’s next story.
Adelaide United’s teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda is beginning to put his generational talent on display regularly for the Reds; his latest act of magic came in the form of a wrong-footed strike into the top-right corner to seal a 4-2 come-from-behind win over league leaders Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
But if you ask Irankunda, he might describe it as “a tap-in.”
The 17-year-old phenom now has six goals from 25 bench appearances for the Reds. He’s scored two goals in his last two games and bagged three goals and one assist across his last 109 minutes of Isuzu UTE A-League football.
Those who followed 18-year-old Garang Kuol’s transformation from Central Coast Mariners super-sub to World Cup Socceroo and Newcastle United recruit will be watching on with intent as Irankunda’s star continues to rise.
But for now, the Reds impact-maker is feeling the love at Coopers Stadium, and thanked the adoring Adelaide fans for motivating his late show-stopper in a vital win over City which sent the Reds into second spot.
MATCH REPORT: Reds go second after stunning win over City
City did lead early in the contest, but Andrew Nabbout’s opener was cancelled out by defender Lachlan Barr’s header late in the first half. The hosts emerged from the break to bag two more goals through Craig Goodwin and Louis D’Arrigo, before City youngster Marco Tilio made it interesting at 3-2 with an unlikely header from a corner.
But Irankunda wrote the full-time headlines with a customary finish off the bench, lifting a left-footed shot over City goalkeeper Tom Glover to find the top-right corner and seal a 4-2 win in front of a passionate crowd at Hindmarsh.
Irankunda: ‘You could call it a tap-in!’
In comparison to his catalogue of A-Leagues wonder strikes, maybe he’s right.
Irankunda’s Goal of the Week winner last weekend was a strike of conviction – but his effort against City on Friday night was deft, delicate, and placed with precision.
Both goals were of the upmost quality for very different reasons – but where does it rank on the 17-year-old’s highlight reel?
“To get a goal at home again – on my week foot this time – you could call it a tap-in,” he told Paramount+. “But yeah, I’m just happy to score again.
I don’t know why it goes to the top corner, I’ve just tried to place it, but it always goes there.
“I’m just happy, honestly. I don’t know what to say. It feels amazing. I love these fans, 100%. Every time I stand up to do a warm-up, I just hear them calling my name. It gives me motivation to go and score a goal, and put on my best performances.
“I just love these guys, I love all the fans so much. They mean a lot to me.”
