NAC Breda’s 20-year-old winger Karim Mperanyi has been called up by Burundi for the first time by head coach Patrick Sangwa. The Dutch-Burundian dual national discovers the national team ahead of the two matches against Zambia.
The 20-year-old right winger from NAC Breda appears on a Burundi squad list for the first time, called up by Patrick Sangwa for the double header against Zambia, reports Dongqiudi via VoetbalPrimeur. He had never been called up to any youth national team before, the same outlet adds, citing B-Side Rats.
Born in Zeevenbergen in the Netherlands, Mperanyi holds Dutch and Burundian nationality. His professional debut for the NAC first team dates back to last month, against Helmond Sport, and he has since appeared on every matchday squad list for the Dutch club.
A middle name in tribute
His middle name is “Van Persie”, inherited from his father’s admiration for former Netherlands international Robin van Persie, an Arsenal fan, according to Dongqiudi.
His brother Asmani, who plays for Virtus, said he was very proud of his debut, again according to the same source.
NAC will have to do without him
The call-up has a direct consequence for the club: Mperanyi will miss NAC Breda’s match against FC Emmen because of the international break, Dongqiudi reports. Head coach Rick Kruys addressed the matter.
According to his comments translated from Chinese, the matter is tremendous for the young player, and the itinerary was laid out: departure for Burundi, a match in Zambia, then back to Burundi for the second leg. The Dutch coach stressed the burden such a round trip represents, which he considers gruelling but also enjoyable, according to that translation.
The club will therefore have to cope without its winger for a league match while he takes his first international steps. Mohamed Amisi, who also came through the NAC academy, has likewise been called up by Patrick Sangwa, Dongqiudi reports.
A delicate situation
Burundi go into this international window in a difficult position. In a group that includes Algeria, Zambia and Togo, the Burundians sit bottom with 1 point, after a defeat to Togo and a 2-2 draw with Algeria, according to Dongqiudi. Zambia have 3 points at the time of these matches.
The schedule sends Burundi away on 13 November against Zambia, before hosting them four days later, on 17 November. Mperanyi, in comments translated from Chinese, spoke of his joy at discovering his call-up, before wondering what comes next: “Today I’m asking myself: am I really going to play?”