There’s news in the AllAfrica web-site that Gael Bigirimana, who signed a five-year contract at Newcastle United last Friday, may want to play for the Rwanda National team.
Gael Bigirimana – after signing for Newcastle last Friday
Bigirimana has no caps at any level for any country at the moment, and the Burundi-born player told The New Times in April, that he had turned down requests by the Burundi National side to play for them, and instead he apparently wants to play for Rwanda.
This is what Gael said in April, while he was still a Coventry City player:
“Although I have played for England youth teams, I can’t say that would give me the chance to play for the Three Lions. I want to play for Rwanda.”
“Burundi has expressed interest in me but I have turned down their offers. All I want is to play for Rwanda.”
In 2011, Bigirimana was part of an U-18 Democratic Republic of Congo side, that was made up of players who play in Europe, but we have no record of him having played for any England Youth sides.
It seems that he is eligible to play for Uganda, Burundi and England, and we’re not sure how he qualifies for Rwanda, but maybe through a parent or other relative, and it will be interesting to see who he decides to play for, now that he will have greater visibility across the football world at Newcastle United.
Rwanda, who are nicknamed the Amavubi (Wasps), have never qualified for the World Cup finals, but they did reach the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations back in 2004, but having qualified since then.
On the other hand Burundi have never qualified for either the World Cup or the African Cup of Nations.
And Alan Pardew made it known in no uncertain terms over the weekend, that he thinks this lad will be a threat to Newcastle first teamers as early as next season, so Alan must think very highly of this youngster, who turns 19 until October 22nd.
Comments welcome.
139 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Jul 9, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Comment #1Play for India
ToonAndy
Jul 9, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Comment #2What about—
————————KRUL——————–
SANTON–TAYLOR—COLLO–SAKHO
————DEBUCHY—-TIOTE———–
BEN ARFA—–CABAYE—-MAVEAUX
———————CISSE——————–
danuneek
Jul 9, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Comment #3He should play for England. If he turns out as good as Tiote he would be great in the middle for England in a few years.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Jul 9, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Comment #4I can understand why he wants to help his African birthplace!
But, if he,s played in Youth teams for England then would he not be better off playing for England at the end of the day!
If he,s as good as everyone says? Sounds like a great signing!
Beardo
Jul 9, 2012 at 11:56 AM
Comment #5Doesn’t sound like he’s pondering to me.
BORED BORED BORED!
2_goal_tino
Jul 9, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Comment #6The missing details from the article- He qualifies for Rwanda through his father. He has played for English youth sides but his main desire remains to play for Rwanda …. ptobably the best for us given that they are very unlikely to qualify for the main tournaments.
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=14950&a=52024
Big Pappa Cisse
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Comment #7@ Toonandy
Why play Debuchy center mid, if anything he could play on the wing tbh like, only reason Jonas plays there is because he is getting on a bit and cant go past players as easily as he used to
rich_toonfan
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Comment #8Entirely his call. Has to go with what he feels is right for him.
I think that this summer will be the biggest test on the transfer front.
We have got to a level where the players coming in need to be internationals if they are to improve the team right away.
These don’t come cheap, unless you find one with a low release clause. Realistically we will be shopping in the 10-12million pound bracket for the standard we want.
I think the club will start to invest heavily in youth, get youngsters in who will be on the fringes of the squad with an eye on them making the grade in a couple years time and maybe only bring in 1 or 2 first team players.
I don’t see Ashley spending mega bucks on players so think a lot will have to start coming through the academy with 1 or 2 first team signings.
JAMSHA
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Comment #9Lol
JAMSHA
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Comment #10Play for england so that in future we can sell him for 20mil +.
G
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Comment #11IM @ post 1. I think that is the most profound post you have ever made on the blog.
Indian Magpie
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Comment #12My latest article
From My stand point my BEST work
Have a Read
http://thespectatorsview.com/2012/07/09/5-years-with-mike-ashley-the-highs-and-the-low-blows/
Thanks
Beattie25
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:21 PM
Comment #13Why is everybody so touchy at the moment.
Not a day nor an hour goes by without the blog descending into utter chaos with abuse and harsh words exchanged between fellow fans.
I yearn for the good old days when a person could slag of Pardews tactics, call Simmo championship standard and be vocal about the doom and gloom and nobody would bay an eye lid. Oh wait…
pieceofpapiss
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Comment #14Just been for a meeting at work and come back to read one of the biggest idiots this blog has seen.
darrenfletcher88
If people like Ed didnt report these rumors then there would be nothing to talk about/discuss. However one of the upsides is that morons, like yourself darren, wouldnt be on here spouting the cr@p you just have.
Dont have a go at Ed, he’s only doing a service (and a bloody good one at that) to us as fans.
Take your negativity elsewhere.
rich_toonfan
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Comment #15I agree.
Always find it strange how people can complain about the standard of an optional, free service that somebody goes out of their way to provide.
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Comment #16pieceofpapiss – couldn’t agree more mate. As I mentioned in that thread, there’s a place for official and confirmed news for Newcastle United, it’s the official Newcastle United website. This is a forum for general discussion and speculation.
Indian Magpie
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Comment #17To be fair 2 darren fletcher88
he said that rumour was made up pap, nothing abt ed doing a piece on it
rich_toonfan
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Comment #18I read a rumour on twitter last night about hoilett.
There were reports that he is willing to drop wage demands to 30k as he seems to be getting no interest from clubs at that price. Would be worth it at that value.
Sure the club would reward him if he had a few good seasons with us.
Beattie25
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Comment #19Sing along everyone
Darren Fletcher the most hated man on the blog
Darren Fletcher the guy is a bit of a knob
Darren Fletcher his posts are farcical
Darren Fletcher hates Ed’s article
Darren Fletcher why is he named after a player for man UTD?
Darren Fletcher he’s despised more than Planb, Billy, bob and ted.
Darren Fletcher I hope your bowles get better soon!
Darren Fletcher enjoy your visit to the gay chat room.
All together now…
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Comment #20What about
———————KRUL—————–
SANTON–PUYOL—COLO–LAHM
————INIESTA—-XAVI———–
RONALDO—–—MESSI————RVP
———————CISSE——————–
Surely we deserve this team if Mashley wasn’t such a tight git…
rich_toonfan
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Comment #21Toondarnsarf
Maybe….puyol and xavi don’t come until the age range, neither does rvp…the rest would be good though haha
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Comment #22Indian – yeah he did. He said Ed is “publishing made up pap”. It’s Ed’s job to publish rumours and discussion topics on here, as many people have also said.
If someone doesn’t like it, they shouldn’t go to the website. I don’t go to McDonalds and then complain about how I think their food tastes like sh*te…
Toonboy_84
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Comment #23Beattie, are you bored by any chance?
toonydoonunder
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Comment #24W
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Comment #25rich_toonfan – maybe one day hey?! I’m pretty happy with what we’ve got at the moment though…even the oldies!
Beattie25
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Comment #26Massively toonboy
WorJordi
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Comment #27@15
I think he would be good at 30k plus add ons but there was something about his play against us last season and to be fair against other teams where he likes to do a bit of an Ashley Young. But………. he’s young and with the right management he could be a top signing in a couple of seasons. Plus he’s another International player. I think we should go for 11 Internationals in our first team what do you think? It shouldnt be too hard even now with who we have?
toonydoonunder
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Comment #28Well said Piece #14 ,keep up the good work Ed the more rumours the better ,we can all make our shopping lists from all these rumours and whispers and gather up some fantastic Toon sides to take on the world and win everything now there’s some made up PAP.Does anyone else get the feeling that it will be only youngsters signed before the season starts.With big signings waiting until January ??
WorJordi
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Comment #29Oh and Thanks Ed keep up the good work. Great Blog
GeordieRooster
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Comment #30any word on john Gudetti yet? he should just play for england , half the scotland team is made up of englishmen and they seem to engoy themselves.
martoon
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Comment #31Indian @12 – I read your article – pretty good summary of the last 5 years. If I’m being picky there are not really any edgey/witty observations but I still found it an interesting enough read.
Beattie25
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:57 PM
Comment #32What are we all doing? Sat around typing away and posting aimless blogs.
We should be out there, being active,
Ladies and gentlemen it’s time to down tools, get up of our sears and start the search for Hoilett.
There must be between 500-1000 fans the read this blog and we live all over the world, someone mist know where Hoilett is.
It’s time to visit the train stations, get to the airports, drive to motorway device stations and go knocking in doors.
Let’s find Hoilett and ask what his intentions are.
To the toon mobile!!!
Gateshead-Mag
Jul 9, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Comment #33love this blog and ed for making/maintaining it, got to say my favourite part being the advert for the local slags website at the top of the page, met wor lass on there………
Gateshead-Mag
Jul 9, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Comment #34beattie
where are these motorway device stations they sound interesting, i definately think he could be at one of those 🙂
jayphoto
Jul 9, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Comment #35Yacine Brahimi at Bodymoor heath today to sign for villa! this is from a mate of mine who works freelance as a photog for Villa! Shame, could have been a good player for us! He said there was 2 players from Rennes there today, didn’t catch who the other one was …..
jayphoto
Jul 9, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Comment #36Oh, sorry, it was a player called tongo doumbia…..don’t know nothing about him like
Shane
Jul 9, 2012 at 1:17 PM
Comment #37I agree with your stand Beattie! But… I can’t condone knocking in people’s doors, we should go about this peacefully! Aha, perhaps ring the doorbell first?
Shane
Jul 9, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Comment #38I agree with your stand Beattie! But… I can’t condone knocking in people’s doors, we should go about this peacefully! Aha, perhaps ring the doorbell first??
Beattie25
Jul 9, 2012 at 1:20 PM
Comment #39Motorway device station? What the hell?
If Brahimi isn’t coming here it must be because we are not interested and looking elsewhere!
pieceofpapiss
Jul 9, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Comment #40@ Indian
“to be fair to darrenfletcher88….” NO!
He was bad mouthing a rumor, everyone is entitled to an opinion (even you and your rants about Super Shola) but if they have no basis then they are immidiatley disrespected. Espcially on a service that is costing you nothing and is designed to encourage debate.