Cameras focused on debutantes as Bundesliga season commences – The Kampala Report

Nestory Irankunda could become only the third East African born player to feature for a Bundesliga side if he’s named in the match day squad for Bayern Munich’s Sunday trip to Wolfsburg. Two little known Ugandans have previously featured for lesser sides. Herbert Bockhorm was on Bochum’s books in 2021/22 whereas Melvyn Lorenzen was a Werder Bremen player between 2013-16.

The 18-year-old Irankunda was born in a refugee settlement in Kigoma, Tanzania to Burundian parents but currently features for Australia’s national team. He was signed from A- League side Adelaide United for €3.4m. Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany named him in the match day squad for last week’s 4-0 victory over Ulm in the DFB Pokal but he didn’t feature.

Kompany is expected to install summer arrivals Joao Palhinha (Fulham) and Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) to the starting line up along with last season’s top scorer Harry Kane after all three started on the bench at Ulm.

The former Anderlecht and Burnley gaffer has been tasked with restoring the Allianz Arena giants to the Bundesliga summit following last season’s shambles which witnessed them not only surrender the title to Bayer Leverkusen but finish third behind Stuttgart.

This season’s action commences on Friday evening with champions Leverkusen away to Gladbach six days after they outlasted Stuttgart in a penalty shoot out to add the German Super Cup to the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double they won unbeaten last season.

Bay Arena boss Xabi Alonso should recall regulars Jonathan Tah, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Odilon Kossounou and Alejandro Grimaldo after they all came off the bench in the Super Cup. New signing Martin Terrier is suspended as he received marching orders on his debut.

Last season’s runners up Stuttgart are to unleash new signings Denis Undav and Ermedin Demirovic when they travel to Freiburg while Borussia Dortmund will be aiming for a quick start at home to Eintracht Frankfurt as they look to improve on last season’s disappointing fifth place finish.

Freshly installed Signal Iduna Park boss Nuri Sahin should field new recruits Waldemar Anton, Yan Cuoto, Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy as he targets maximum points.

FRIDAY
Gladbach v Bayer Leverkusen

SATURDAY
RB Leipzig v Bochum,
Hoffenheim v Holstein Kiel,
Freiburg v Stuttgart,
Augsburg v Werder Bremen,
Mainz v Union Berlin,
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt

SUNDAY
Wolfsburg v Bayern Munich,
St Pauli v Heidenheim