Nestory Irankunda’s parents had a difficult journey before he was born. Originally from Burundi, they were forced to flee their home due to the brutal civil war between the popular Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups in 1993. With two young children, Gideon and Dafroza had to leave everything behind to protect their family. It wasn’t an easy escape—Gideon had to carry their sick daughter on his back while they fled barefoot to safety.
Against All Odds: How Nestory Irankunda Transformed from Refugee to Football Icon
After escaping the war, they arrived at a refugee camp in Tanzania, where Nestory was born. When he was just a baby, the family moved to Perth, Australia, and eventually settled in Adelaide in 2013. Football became a big part of Nestory’s life from a young age.
While his father was a Bayern Munich fan, Nestory was passionate about Barcelona. He spent countless hours playing football in their backyard, competing with his older brothers, which helped him develop his skills early on. Despite his family’s challenges, Nestory’s talent and love for the game started to shine, setting him on the path to becoming a young football star.
Preamble:
This is just the beginning of Nestory Irankunda’s story, a tale of resilience, family, and the power of following dreams. We will reveal details about his childhood, his parents- Gideon Irankunda (father) and Dafroza Irankunda (mother), his siblings – five sisters and his two brothers, family origin, personality, family background, etc.
We unveil the memoir of Nestory Irankunda, the Australian who followed his father’s favourite club to reality. We’ve created this photo gallery to show his journey and development in the sport despite family challenges.
Behold the prodigy from his childhood to the success out of the shores of his hometown. Sources: Griffin, ABC
Nestory Irankunda Childhood Story:
For Biography starters, Nestory “Nestor” Irankunda came to Mother Earth on the 9th of February 2006 to his parents- his father, Mr Gideon Irankunda and his mother, Dafroza Irankunda, in Tanzania.
The Right-winger is the third child of two older boys and five younger sisters. Before going further in the triumph-from-ashes memoir, Nestory Irakunda’s parents are in the photo. Though they had no money, they worked hard to ensure their children overcame the most brutal battles and emerged stronger.
Meet Nestory Irankunda’s parents- his father, Mr Gideon Irankunda and his mother, Dafroza Irankunda. Which of them do you think the footballer took after in looks? Photo: Griffins.
Early Childhood:
Nestory Irankunda was born in Kigoma in Tanzania. The footballer came as the third child in his parent’s marriage. It was enjoyable growing up with seven siblings. This means the lad never grew up lonely or feeling left out. The cries of joy, hunger, and many other emotions are always heard in the Irankundas’ house.
The house was always full of life. There was someone to play with and even make problems with. Simply put, it was like having a great team that would always have your back. To outsiders, they worry how Nestory Irankunda’s parents can manage having so many children. However, to Gideon and Dafroza, it was better to have them in abundance than to lose any of them. Why was that? Let’s take you back to the life before their talented son was born.
Nestory Irakunda’s parents had to leave their native home in Burundi with their two kids to go to another strange land. This was not the case of relocating in peace for a better life. As they ran for their lives with only their clothes on their bodies. It was because of the war that started in Burundi between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority in 1993. This battle, which began like a joke, became too bloody and left many souls lying on the streets like the birds of the heavens.
Without looking back, Nestroy Irakunda’s father knew he had to protect his family as the head of the house. So, leaving their homes in the middle of the night with his two kids and wife was all on his mind. At that time, reports revealed that the right winger’s older sister was too ill to walk or run. Thus, Gideon backed the teenager and fled barefoot to rescue her. It was not an option to leave any member of his household behind; they all had to make it, no matter the circumstances.
Growing Up:
The footballer was born after his father fled the country safely with his children to a refugee camp in Tanzania. So, Nestory didn’t get to experience how his family suffered to get to his place of birth. To further help you process this journey from Burundi to Tanzania, using a vehicle takes 14 hours daily.
However, in the case of Nestory Irankunda’s family, the country was in a severe battle. So, in some places, there is no free movement, whether by vehicle or train. Thus, his parents, Gideon and Dafroza, and his two siblings must have walked long distances and used the back of an open truck to reach their destination. Hunger, pain, and dreadful thought of not meeting the killers on the road must have filled their minds as they prayed to God for safety.
Growing up and surviving in a refugee camp in Tanzania came with limited resources. Things like water, food and electricity would be scarce in supply. And even more Nestory Irakunda family of three children as at then with the parents. Thankfully, at only three months old, Gideon moved his household to Perth in western Australia. Years later, in 2013, they relocated to the suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.
While the right winger was a die-hard Barcelona fan, his father was on the side of Bayern Munich. Football came to the young lad in the backyard at their home. It was even better as his older brothers were his competitors, thus sharpening his skills for his age level. This was the beginning of a bit of wonderkid on the road to success despite the early tragedy.
Nestory Irakunda Family Background:
The struggle of survival has always been top of the list for Nestory Irankunda’s parents. It moved from trying hard to keep his children safe to ensuring they provided for them. And this comes with extra strength and great motivation to succeed. In addition to ensuring their seven kids were not hungry or begging on the streets.
As a hardworking man, Gideon, Nestory Irankunda’s father, preferred to have his source of income. So that he would not be limited in caring for his family. Thus, the Burundi-born patriarch took up work as a rideshare driver. With this flexible work, he could control the money pouring in and have time to be around his children. Although it wasn’t a billionaire’s job, it did not automatically clear all the financial burdens. It was taking care of the basic things they needed in the home.
While on the other hand, Nestory Irankunda’s mother cared for her children and her husband. Being a mom to seven kids meant attending to every one of their individual needs. As well as almost having no time to yourself. Nonetheless, this Burundi woman did her role effortlessly, almost like a superwoman. Daunting as the task may be, Dafroza rolled her sleeves up and put everything into place when it was due.
It was a long journey moving from a battleground to giving the best to their children. Nestory Irankunda’s parents were not wealthy, but they did their best to ensure the kids were given all the primary care to keep them going. First hand, the right winger saw his family’s finances need to change, which was a driving force as he played on the pitch.
Nestory Irankunda Family Origin:
The young prodigy has an exciting twist to his origin. Firstly, Nestory Irankunda’s parents come from the Eastern part of Africa in Burundi. This small country lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes. Did you know footballers like Kevin De Bruyne and Thilo Kehrer have their maternal ancestry traced to Burundi?
Nine hundred and forty-two kilometres from his parents’ origin, Nestory Irankunda’s Nationality is in Tanzania, and his birthplace is in Kigoma. It is a city and a lake port that shares lines with the Republic of Congo and Burundi. However, with a one-day and eight-hour journey, he grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. Sealing his Australian citizenship as well.
The map shows the forward’s parents’ hometown and his birthplace. Source: GoogleMaps
So, Nestor Irankunda’s dual nationality means he can represent Tanzania and Australia. Names like Mathew Ryan (GK), Craig Goodwin (LW), Mitchell Duke (CF), Mathew Leckie (LW), and Ajdin Hrustic (AM) are notable Australian soccer celebrities. And the footballer chose them to join and make their country proud in the international games.
Nestory Irankunda’s Ethnicity:
This mix of backgrounds makes Nestory pretty unique. He’s got roots in Burundi through his family memories of being born in Tanzania, and he has spent most of his life as an Australian kid. He’s a blend of all these places – a Burundian-Australian with an extra touch of Tanzania in his story.
Family Life:
When we come to the Australian household, we see how love and strength have built the home over the years. There are many sacrifices everyone has to make to keep the family going. It is warm to the heart to see an athlete whose household members do not try to drain him emotionally or otherwise.
Right from the head of the house down to the children, everyone has given their quota to put one of their own on the international map. Thus, Nestory Irankunda’s biography would be incomplete without knowing about people who love him to death.
About Nestory Irankunda’s Father:
Mr Gideon Irankunda could be celebrated as the father of the year. Seeing how he took his family to safety when the war in his home was brewing and left nobody behind. Not even his sick daughter, who was too weak to run by herself, Nestory’s dad backed her and kept moving. Ensuring his wife and kids’ safety meant leaving the place he had always called home and going to an unknown territory.
The family patriarch, Gideon Irankunda, has been a huge fan of the Bayern Munich Team. Image: ABC
It was painful but a small sacrifice if it meant Nestory Irankunda’s family being alive. Even after the escape, the Burundi-born man had to ensure the household was well-fed. Gideon had to take up his car and make a living in the transportation industry. However, despite the busy drop-ins and demands of the job, he would still drive his third child to his training centre all the time. Simply put, he is the hero of his son’s life.
About Nestory Irankunda’s Mother:
Dafroza Irankunda, the woman who singlehandedly gave birth to eight children, is the heroine of her kids. The imagination of how this Burundi woman pulled this off is beyond words. Ensuring she was healthy and caring for them summarises a sweet mother. Nestory Irankunda’s mom takes the growth of her children very seriously and disciplines them with proper societal norms of right and wrong.
See the tooth-wide smile Dafroza has because of her son’s success. Indeed, Nestory Irankunda’s mom is excited beyond measure. Picture: Griffins.
Nestory Irankunda’s mother is the backbone of her husband. Because without her, we wouldn’t be writing this biography today. There would be no wonderkid with parents from Burundi. The Australian success is in the hands of the one who gave him the passage to come to Mother Earth. And the smiles her child puts on her face with all his hard work is a near reward for her sacrifice.
About Nestory Irankunda’s Siblings:
The former Adelaide right winger’s two older brothers put their football future on hold for their younger brother. Whatever Nestory knew, he admitted it was thanks to his senior pals in the house. They would always teach him skills and techniques that were far too much for his age. And when the Australian is among his agemates, he is well ahead of them thanks to the stars at home.
The other part of the Irankunda family with their star boy in their midst. Source: Griffins.
Nestory Irankunda’s siblings, including his older brothers, have all been a woven ladder for their own family members’ success. They came together like sticks of brooms to form an unbreakable bunch that was hard to pull apart. As we talk about the boys, the sisters in the house are also instrumental in his fame. And together, they are all smiles that the player did disappoint them at the end. But he is taking the family names internationally in the sports world.
Education:
Nestory Irankunda’s parents, with the little income they had, chose the Irankunda to attend Parafield Gardens High School in Parafield Gardens, South Australia, a northern suburb of Adelaide. It is one of the most decent places to learn in the neighbourhood and has a good curriculum for the student’s learning experience.
However, schooling could have been more fun for this rising star who was carving his path in the game he loves. Nestory wasnt doing quite well in his grades. Surprisingly for a struggling student, his best subject was English, and he loved the Harry Potter series in books and the movie adaptation. Nonetheless, the gifted sports star was topping the leagues in the sports category in Parafield.
Nestory Irankunda Biography – Early Career:
The young child idolized Carles Puyo and Gerard Pique. And they made him occupy the centre-back position at the beginning of his career. Nestory was also a Barcelona fan, and his father, Gideon, was a lover of Bayern Munich. The Australian was already with the Parafield Gardens team from his secondary school level. Before, he was scouted by the National Premier Leagues (NPL) side Adelaide Croatia Raiders.
A Rare photo of the young lad in his early years on the pitch. Image: Griffins
Because of his performance, many other talented spotters had eyes on him. Thus, the head of youth for A-League side Adelaide United placed him on trial before permanently joining the club. He began with the reserve team, making 26 appearances, and had 12 goals at 15. The Kigoma-born was given a scholarship contract with the team due to this skill level. On the 8th of January 2022, Irankunda became the sixth youngest player and the third youngest debutant in the A league history.
Two days later, the now Right winger player broke yet another record. On the 30th of January, he scored his first league goal, making him the second youngest goal scorer in Adelaide. His second goal came one month later, and he won the Tomas Dale Medal in the club. Despite his jaw-dropping skills, Nestory Stii faced suspension because of his late-meeting attitude and avoiding chores meant for younger players.
The Australian continued to build his reputation as an essential player coming off the bench, scoring in three straight games for Adelaide United. These goals came in matches against Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets (a 4–2 win). His standout goal against Melbourne Victory earned him the A-League Goal of the Month award for February. At this point, it was safe to say that Irankunda was unstoppable.
Road to Fame:
In the 23/24 pre-season, Irankunda debuted for the Adelaide United leading team on the 20th of October. During his first game, the Australian had a speed of 37.02 km/h, surpassing that of Kyle Walker in the Premier League. Despite the several bookings and yellow cards he received, he was nominated for Young Footballer of the Year.
On the 29th of March, Nestory scored his first professional hat trick. It made him the youngest player with a treble in the A men’s league and the second youngest in Australian men’s football history. After 60 league games and 16 games for Adelaide United, Irankunda was named the A-League Men’s Young Footballer of the Year at the end of the season.
On the 14th of November, Adelaide United announced the sale of Nestory to Bayern Munich. On the 18th of June, the Right-winger began training with the German reserve team. and played his first game on the 25th of the same month. Following his first month of match performance, Nestory was named man of the match in a 4–1 win against Würzburger Kickers on the 24th of August.
International Career:
With his mixed heritage, the Right-winger can play for Burundi, Tanzania, or Australia. However, the teenage sensation went for Australia, representing them in under-17 teams and helping them qualify for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup. In 2024, Nestory was omitted from the under-23 squad in the Asian Cup games but received his first senior call-up despite the offer from Burundi to play for them.
Irankunda has announced his interest in playing for his birth country’s team in Tanzania or Burundi if the Australian coach continues omitting his name. Nevertheless, at 18 years and 123 days, he, who earned his Socceroos call-up, became the second youngest player to score for Australia during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in his debut. The rest is history, they said.
Personality:
The Bayern Munich new signee lives a very private life. Nestory is so reserved that if you go through his Instagram page, you only see posts about his career. Nothing about his family or relationships is visible to those outside his inner cycle. It is a way of saying he wants his fans to be preoccupied with how he entertains them on the pitch instead of outside.
Irakunda’s commitment to his career extends beyond the pitch. As a former centre-back player, he understands the importance of physical fitness. Despite not sharing this life aspect, he has a regular workout routine. Did you know that he shares the Aquarius zodiac with players like Adama Traoré and Luis Suárez?
For whatever income the Right winger is making, a considerable chunk goes into caring for his remaining seven siblings. Seeing the fact that Nestory Irakunda’s brothers put their careers on hold for him. Thus, he is not basking in extravagant luxury or brandishing his now fact account for viewers’ pleasure.
Untold Fact:
This section provides deeper insight into the Bayer Munich athlete. It offers fascinating and engaging details about lesser-known facts about his career, achievements, and personal journey.
Nestory Irankunda’s Religion:
The name “Irankunda” likely translates to the lines of “God loves me” or “He loves me”. In these cultures, many names incorporate references to God or expressions of faith, love, or divine protection. This shows that he comes from a Christian spiritual family.
Nestory Irankunda’s FIFA:
The Tanzania has a very mixed style of playing to his techniques. Irankunda’s power shots are faster and with great speed; he is a CPU AI shots taker because even in motion, he can still shoot the ball. At the same time, the Right winger’s stamina gives him a good balance on the field. Because of these traits, FIFA gives the young prodigy a rating of 69 per cent with a potential of reaching a high score of 85%.
FIFA’s rating of the Australian right-winger
End Note:
Nestory “Nestor” Irankunda was born on the 9th of February 2006. To his father, Mr Gideon Irankunda and his mother, Dafroza Irakunda, in Tanzania. The Right-winger is the third child of two older boys and five younger sisters.
Irankunda’s birthplace is in Kigoma, Tanzania. The footballer was the third of seven children in his parent’s marriage. Nestory Irakunda’s parents had to leave Burundi because of the war that started in Burundi. Thankfully, at only three months old, Gideon moved his household to Perth in western Australia. Years later, in 2013, they relocated to the suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.
The young prodigy has an exciting twist to his origin. Firstly, Nestory Irankunda’s parents come from the Eastern part of Africa in Burundi. His nationality is in Tanzania, and his birthplace is in Kigoma. Irankunda is a Parafield Gardens High School alumnus in Parafield Gardens, South Australia.
From infancy, the Australian idolized Carles Puyo and Gerard Pique. He was scouted by the National Premier Leagues (NPL) side Adelaide Croatia Raiders. Because of his performance, the head of youth for A-League side Adelaide United placed him on trial before permanently joining the club. On the 14th of November, Adelaide United announced the sale of Nestory to Bayern Munich.
With his mixed heritage, the Right-winger can play for Burundi, Tanzania, or Australia. However, Nestory went for Australia, representing them in under-17 teams and helping them qualify for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup. In 2024, he was omitted from the under-23 squad in the Asian Cup games. Irankunda has announced his interest in playing for his birth country’s team in Tanzania or Burundi if the Australian coach continues omitting his name.
Appreciation:
We are incredibly thankful to you for reading our version of Nestory Irankunda’s biography. Your support means a lot to us. And we hope that you found the article insightful and engaging. Your readership encourages us to keep creating content that you enjoy.
Nonetheless, the right winger and other Oceanian soccer stars like Jackson Irvine and Chris Wood are among our archives. We put great effort into bringing you exciting and detailed information. And we appreciate your interest in learning more about this talented athlete.
