Rwanda’s Nelson Irumva, David Okoce and Barthazar Ndayishimiye on Saturday, September 14, departed Kigali for Munich, Germany, for trials at Bayern Munich Academy. Ndayishimiye, 17, Irumva and Okoce, both 16, were selected from the Bayern Munich Academy Rwanda and was offered a chance to further their talent development in one of Europe's top academies. ALSO READ: Ten Rwandan youngsters selected for FC Bayern youth world cup The five-month trials could, if successful, open doors for the youngsters as they stand a chance to be offered a place in the teams within the Bayern Munich structure. This is a dream come true for me. I’ve worked hard to reach this far, and now I’m ready to give my all and show that Rwandan talent can compete at the highest level. It’s not just about me, it’s about representing my country and proving what we’re capable of, Irumva told Times Sport. Hamdan Habimana, the Commissioner for Technical Development at Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), urged the selected players to seize the opportunity to not only achieve their personal goals but also represent the country with pride. “This is a chance for you to represent your nation and showcase the football talent that Rwanda possesses,” Habimana said. The Bayern Munich Academy Rwanda has been nurturing local football talents since its inception in 2023 through a partnership with FC Bayern Munich. The academy selects the most promising players for further development and the trials are part of ongoing efforts to offer top performers exposure to international football standards. According to Bernhard Hirmer, who leads the coaching department at the academy, the three players have demonstrated their potential enough to get selected for the opportunity. Hirmer said that the selection process was highly competitive and, while these three were chosen, they must now prove themselves in Germany. This is not Ndayishimiye’s first time in Germany, having previously attended similar trials in 2023. “His selection again underscores the talent that Bayern Munich coaches saw in him,” Hirmer said.
