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Wizard of Oz Irankunda provides sting for Hornets

Daily Mirror UK

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September 01, 2025

FLIPPING marvel Nestory Irankunda is turning Australia’s World Cup plans upside down after falling head over heels in love with Watford.

- BY MIKE WALTERS

For the second week running, Irankunda’s set-piece magic earned Hornets a point - and his somersault celebration with fellow scorer Kwadwo Baah left head coach Paulo Pezzolano (right) joking: “We can send him to the Olympics.”

Irankunda has been recalled by the Aussies for their doubleheader Down Under against New Zealand, a clash dubbed the Soccer Ashes.

The 19-year-old winger was full of it after his eye-of-the-needle free-kick, revealing he practises his acrobatic party piece behind Pezzolano's back in training. But after his bullseye at Swansea seven days earlier, and another gem in the opposite top corner to deny Southampton the swag, Irankunda could challenge suspended midfielder Imran Louza for dead-ball shooting rights at Vicarage Road.

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