Refugee Who Quit Bayern To Create Aussie World Cup Dream

NEW YORK, USA, Jun 13 – Nestory Irankunda may have written his name into the Australia football history books but he was a player already creating his own remarkable story. tbzikra.org

The 20-year-old Watford forward became the youngest scorer in the World Cup for the Socceroos when he netted their opener in a 2-0 win over Turkey in Vancouver.

“It is unreal and a dream come true,” Irankunda said shortly after full-time.

But it is just the latest step on an incredible journey for the once refugee who, just a year ago, was learning from Harry Kane at Bayern Munich.

Irankunda was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp in 2006 to Burundian parents, who had fled their homeland because of a civil war.

He was still a young child when they moved to the country he now represents on the biggest stage of world football.

Irankunda found football in Australia and came through the ranks at Adelaide United in the A-League.

After 16 goals and eight assists for the senior side, an eye-catching move to Bayern followed in 2024.

Bold decision to leave Bayern

There was never a first-team appearance in Germany but there was plenty of time on the training pitch with some of the best players in the world, including England striker Kane.

Yet those lack of minutes threatened his dream. That was to play for Australia at this World Cup.

He had made his debut in a World Cup qualifier in June 2024 against Bangladesh and became the second-youngest scorer in the country’s history when he netted against Palestine in just his second appearance.

After a loan spell at Swiss side Grasshopper last season, he had a decision to make in the summer.

It wasn’t an easy one when the opportunity came to move to Watford for an undisclosed fee, and leave the Bundesliga giants, but he needed to play if he was to get his World Cup chance, having fallen out of the Australia squad.

“It was a hard decision but obviously my biggest goal for me is to play at the World Cup,” Irankunda told Sky Sports last summer, external.

“The 2026 World Cup is around the corner and I have to play minutes, I wasn’t playing minutes.

“It has always been a dream of mine to play in England.”

He has been called ‘Houdini’ by team-mate Mohamed Toure, who said Irankunda could have the same impact on Australia as Jude Bellingham on England.

“I’ve seen a lot of good players but sometimes you have a special talent and he’s that,” added Toure. “If he puts in the work and stays grounded I think he’ll go beyond the potential many people already say he has. He’ll surpass that.”

‘Your whole world can change’

He played 42 games for Championship club Watford, scored four goals and made five to ensure he was selected for the World Cup.

Now he has created history for his country and in style, too. His finish was superb after he showed pace and power to create the opening in the 27th minute against Turkey.

“It doesn’t matter what level of football you play at, in the park or World Cup, that is fantastic speed,” former Australia and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou told ITV.

It meant he was the first player born outside of Australia to score a World Cup goal for the Socceroos.

He has in the past mimicked Michael Jackson in celebrating goals, even donning a white glove in March when he netted against Curacao.

This time he opted to copy former Australia and Everton midfielder Tim Cahill by giving the corner flag a couple of punches.

“Timmy Cahill is my biggest inspiration when it comes to football,” Irankunda said after the win over Turkey.

“Him and Lionel Messi. Tim Cahill, Australia’s greatest in my opinion. I just thought if I scored, I’ll do the same as him and I got to do it.”

Postecoglou believes the goal may have an impact on Irankunda’s future career.

“A massive moment,” added Postecoglou. “Sometimes in World Cups, you just need a good couple of weeks and your whole world can change. Let’s hope that is the start for him.”

The post Refugee Who Quit Bayern To Create Aussie World Cup Dream appeared first on Capital Sports.

Sur le carreau avec l’Irak et absent de la Coupe du monde, Ahmed Yahya est ravi de ne pas affronter l’équipe de France.

L’arrière gauche de l’équipe nationale d’Irak, Ahmed Yahya s’est blessé contre l’Espagne lors du dernier match de préparation avant la Coupe du monde 2026 et a dû déclarer forfait la compétition. Le sélectionneur Graham Arnold a appelé Ahmed Hasan Maknazi pour le remplacer.

En sélection depuis 2023, le joueur de 30 ans d’Al-Shorta en Iraq Stars League s’est confié à la chaîne irakienne Al Hadath et a fait une confidence qui a amusé le présentateur. Après la Norvège mercredi prochain, l’Irak sera opposé à la France dans le groupe I, dans une semaine. « Dieu m’a épargné de la France », a laché l’international irakien à la télévision.

The post France – Irak : forfait pour le Mondial, Ahmed Yahya lâche une déclaration surprenante appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

South Africa’s road running queen Gerda Steyn won the 2026 Comrades Marathon in record-breaking fashion on Sunday morning.

Running for the Hollywood Athletics Club, Steyn completed the 85.77km ‘Up’ run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in an unofficial time of 5:44:53.

In doing so, she smashed her own ‘Up’ record of of 5:49.46 set in 2024.

The win was Steyn’s fifth Comrades Marathon victory.

Steyn finished 35th overall.

Zimbabwe’s Nobukhosi Tshuma took second in a time of 5:53:36, with South Africa’s Irvette van Zyl completing the podium in third place in 6:02:30.

Huge pay day

Steyn, won R925 000 for her win and another R605 000 for setting a new Comrades Marathon ‘up’ run record.

In addition, she picked up another R550 000 for breaking her own ‘fastest average pace’ of 4:04.28/km set during her 2024 victory.

That gave Steyn a pay day of R2.08 million.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

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Bafana Bafana have everything to play for when they take on Czech Republic later this week.

South Africa suffered a 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico in their opening Group A encounter, while South Korea edged the Czech Republic 2-1 in the group’s other fixture.

DIARISE | FIFA World Cup 2026: Every RESULT from all 104 matches

As a result, both Bafana Bafana and the Czech Republic find themselves under immediate pressure heading into their second FIFA World Cup match.

With qualification hopes already hanging in the balance, neither side can afford another setback.

BAFANA BAFANA VS CZECH REPUBLIC: DATE AND KICK-OFF TIME

Bafana Bafana will face the Czech Republic in Atlanta, United States on Thursday, 18 June.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 (SA time).

🇿🇦 Next match loading… ⌛️
⚽ Czechia vs Bafana Bafana
📅 Thursday, 18 June 2026
🏟️ Atlanta Stadium, Georgia
🕕 Kick-off: 18:00 (SA Time)#BafanaPride#BafanaBafana#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2YXE8YDhaC

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 14, 2026

THREE POINTS COULD REVIVE SOUTH AFRICA’S FIFA WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN

Following their opening round defeats, both teams know the importance of securing a positive result.

Mexico currently lead Group A on three points after their victory over South Africa.

Thereafter, South Korea sit second after overcoming the Czech Republic.

The two sides are separated only by goal difference, with Mexico boasting a +2 advantage compared to South Korea’s +1.

That leaves Czech Republic (third) South Africa (fourth) with two matches remaining.

Historically, four points will be enough to secure progression from a World Cup group – particularly when the eight (of 12) best-performing third-placed teams also advance to the knockout stages.

However, that margin for error is rapidly disappearing for both nations.

Control of their own destiny

A victory would not only revive both sides’ qualification hopes, but also place them in control of their own destiny heading into the final group stage fixture.

A draw would keep both teams alive, although it would leave qualification dependent on other results.

Coach Hugo Broos and his men will therefore be targeting all three points. A win over Czech Republic would breathe new life into South Africa’s campaign.

DO YOU THINK BAFANA BAFANA CAN PULL OFF A WIN OVER CZECH REPUBLIC?

Give us your predictions in the comments section below …