Nestory Irankunda hopes for spot in Bayern Munich’s squad for German Cup clash

Has teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda done enough to be included in Bayern Munich’s first competitive game of the season?

Socceroos whiz-kid Nestory Irankunda has further boosted his hopes of being in Bayern Munich’s squad for the German giant’s first competitive match of their 2024-25 campaign after a telling cameo off the bench in the club’s final pre-season game.

Having come on as a substitute for star striker Harry Kane at the start of the second half in his team’s 3-1 trial win on Wednesday morning (AEST) over Austrian club WSG Tirol in Unterhaching, Irankunda, 18, provided the assist for Bayern’s final goal, scored by Croatian attacking midfielder Gabriel Vidovic.

It continued ex-Adelaide United prodigy Irankunda’s encouraging form since joining Bayern in June.

His pre-season campaign has also included two goals and an appearance off the bench in his team’s 2-1 win over Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham in Seoul less than two weeks ago.

Harry Kane off ➡️ Nestory Irankunda on 😎

A surreal substitution in Bayern Munich's friendly win over WSG Tirol overnight.

The @AdelaideUnited product came off the bench to set up Bayern's third goal. pic.twitter.com/sR10y2C3dD

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) August 14, 2024

It’s now up to Bayern coach Vincent Kompany to decide if Irankunda has done enough to be included in his squad for the club’s first-round German Cup clash against second-tier SSV Ulm at Danube Stadium on Saturday morning (AEST).

Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha, who also scored against WSG Tirol, said Irankunda was among a host of younger players who had impressed.

“They were able to show what they can do,” Palhinha said.

“We are ready for (SSV Ulm).”

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund was also pleased with the club’s crop of emerging talent

“Some young players … were able to give a good account of themselves,” Freund said.

“It’s nice for them to get some minutes with the first-teamers.”

Irankunda’s Socceroos teammates Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe are likely to taste German Cup first-round action, also on Saturday morning, when their team St. Pauli travels to Halle to meet Hallescher FC.

Irvine and Metcalfe both started in the midfield in St Pauli’s final pre-season game, a 3-0 win over Italian outfit Atalanta, last weekend.