March 20, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla – Fresh off his Tampa Bay Rowdies debut this past weekend, wingback Pacifique Niyongabire has been called up by the Burundi national team for a pair of friendlies.
Niyongbaire and Burundi will first face Madagascar on Friday, March 22 at 6 a.m. ET, followed by another friendly versus Botswana on Monday, March 25 at 9 a.m. ET. Both friendlies are set to be played in Madagascar. Niyongabire will miss Tampa Bay’s away match this Saturday at North Carolina FC.
Tampa Bay acquired Niyongabire via transfer from Canadian Premier League side Valour FC in the offseason. The 24-year-old impressed in his debut for the Rowdies in the club’s season opener versus San Antonio in front of a sellout crowd at Al Lang Stadium, notching an assist on forward Manuel Arteaga’s goal in the 72nd minute. Niyongabire earned a spot on the bench of the USL Team of the Week for his contributions in Tampa Bay’s 2-2 draw with San Antonio.
Born in Burundi, Niyongabire moved to Tanzania at an early age before eventually settling in Australia with his family at seven years old. After being discovered by Adelaide United as a youngster and playing for the club’s development squad, Niyongabire signed a contract with the first team the same month he turned 18. Following several seasons with Adelaide, he moved to Perth Glory FC for a year before making the move to North America with Valour FC in 2023.
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