Adelaide United star Nestory Irankunda has challenged Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold to provide him opportunities to break into the national squad, or risk losing his international allegiance.
The 18-year-old is set to depart Adelaide to Bayern Munich after his third and final season at at the club, but provided Isuzu UTE A-League fans one more glimpse at his talent as he came off the bench to grab an assist in the A-League All Star Men’s 8-0 mauling of Premier League club Newcastle United on Friday night.
Born in Tanzania to Burundian parents, Irankunda is eligible to represent all three nations at a senior level.
MATCH REPORT: 8-0! Young guns run riot as A-League All Stars Men dismantle Premier League’s Newcastle
Irankunda was called into Arnold’s Socceroos squad as a train-on player for friendlies against Ecuador in 2023, and was an unused substitute in Australia’s two games against the South American nation.
After Friday’s All Stars hit-out in Melbourne, Irankunda was asked by reporters whether he hoped to see his imminent move to Bayern lead to a Socceroos recall and his eventual national team debut.
“It was (my hope), but as of now I’m not too sure on how things are going to go,” Irankunda replied.
“I haven’t been called up for a few of the squads now. Yeah, I’m still thinking on what I’m going to do in the future (at the) national level, so we’ll see.
“I’m still eligible for Tanzania and also Burundi as well. But obviously it’s a dream of mine to play for the Socceroos. If the opportunity comes again, then hopefully it comes sooner, and I’ll take it.”
Socceroos coach Arnold was in the stands at Marvel Stadium to watch the All Stars dismantle Newcastle; Irankunda said that he hoped the national team coach had taken note of his substitute display.
“I reckon I showed the people at the game what I can do,” he said. “Hopefully Arnie’s seen that and if not, then I can’t really say much.”
When pressed to confirm whether or not he’d seriously consider representing either Tanzania or Burundi, Irankunda replied: “Yeah, of course.”
