SACRAMENTO, Calif. (April 15, 2016) –Sacramento Republic FC U-17/18 Academy defender Nabilai Kibunguchy has been named to the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team. Kibunguchy is one of 20 players that will travel to compete in the upcoming Slovakia Cup, which runs Apr. 20-29.
Kibunguchy is the third Republic FC Academy player to-date to receive a call-up to a national team camp or team during their inaugural season. U-17/18 Academy defender David Burns and U-15/16 Academy goalkeeper Mason Finnell previously received U.S. national team call-ups.
“We saw Nabi’s ability during the last few months,” said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “He has come on leaps and bounds, so much so we had him involved with our first team, including our preseason friendlies. No surprise that he has taken a step in the right direction. It is a proud moment for his family and the club and a tremendous opportunity to show how good of a player he truly is.”
An Elk Grove native and senior at Cosumnes Oaks High School, Kibunguchy has been a key player for Sacramento Republic FC’s U-17/18 Academy team (15-5-5, 50 pts). The team currently sits in second place in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Northwest Division and is currently in a playoff position. Kibunguchy has appeared in 23 of the U-17/18 team’s 25 matches, including 22 starts. He also scored a goal in the team’s 4-2 win against Santa Cruz Breakers Academy U-17/18 team on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Kibunguchy signed a letter of intent to play at UC Davis beginning Fall 2016.
The U.S. U-19 MNT will begin play in the Slovakia Cup on Monday, Apr. 25, when they take on Georgia in Modranka, Ukraine. The U-19’s will also take on Ukraine and Slovakia in Group B of the Cup with the winner of the group playing for the cup on Apr. 29.
The Republic FC Academy is a member of the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy, which was formed to provide education, resources and support to clubs, helping develop world-class players. The USSDA also connects National Team coaches directly with Academy clubs to develop and identify players and coaches for future National Teams.
The full U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team Slovakia Cup roster is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Benn Diaz (Queretaro), Ben Hale (FC Dallas)
Defenders: Nabilai Kibunguchy (Sacramento Republic FC), Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion), Marlon Fossey (Fullham FC), Hector Montalvo (FC Dallas), Alexis Velela (New York Cosmos)
Midfielders: Eric Calvillo (New York Cosmos), Pierre Da Silva (Orlando City SC), Luca De La Torre (Fulham FC), Sebastien Des Pres (RSL Arizona), Ander Egiluz (Athletic Bilbao), Nelson Hunsinger (Leg A-Z), Weston McKinnie (FC Dallas)
Forwards: Colby Agu (Capital Area Railhawks), Ernesto Espinoza (Club Tijuana), Joe Gallardo (Unattached), Brandon Vazquez (Club Tijuanna), Isaiah Young (PDA)
For more information on the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team visit USSoccer.com.
For more information on the Republic FC Academy visit www.sacrepublicfc.com.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (April 15, 2016) –Sacramento Republic FC U-17/18 Academy defender Nabilai Kibunguchy has been named to the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team. Kibunguchy is one of 20 players that will travel to compete in the upcoming Slovakia Cup, which runs Apr. 20-29.
Kibunguchy is the third Republic FC Academy player to-date to receive a call-up to a national team camp or team during their inaugural season. U-17/18 Academy defender David Burns and U-15/16 Academy goalkeeper Mason Finnell previously received U.S. national team call-ups.
“We saw Nabi’s ability during the last few months,” said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “He has come on leaps and bounds, so much so we had him involved with our first team, including our preseason friendlies. No surprise that he has taken a step in the right direction. It is a proud moment for his family and the club and a tremendous opportunity to show how good of a player he truly is.”
An Elk Grove native and senior at Cosumnes Oaks High School, Kibunguchy has been a key player for Sacramento Republic FC’s U-17/18 Academy team (15-5-5, 50 pts). The team currently sits in second place in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Northwest Division and is currently in a playoff position. Kibunguchy has appeared in 23 of the U-17/18 team’s 25 matches, including 22 starts. He also scored a goal in the team’s 4-2 win against Santa Cruz Breakers Academy U-17/18 team on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Kibunguchy signed a letter of intent to play at UC Davis beginning Fall 2016.
The U.S. U-19 MNT will begin play in the Slovakia Cup on Monday, Apr. 25, when they take on Georgia in Modranka, Ukraine. The U-19’s will also take on Ukraine and Slovakia in Group B of the Cup with the winner of the group playing for the cup on Apr. 29.
The Republic FC Academy is a member of the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy, which was formed to provide education, resources and support to clubs, helping develop world-class players. The USSDA also connects National Team coaches directly with Academy clubs to develop and identify players and coaches for future National Teams.
The full U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team Slovakia Cup roster is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Benn Diaz (Queretaro), Ben Hale (FC Dallas)
Defenders: Nabilai Kibunguchy (Sacramento Republic FC), Hugo Arellano (LA Galaxy), Danny Barbir (West Bromwich Albion), Marlon Fossey (Fullham FC), Hector Montalvo (FC Dallas), Alexis Velela (New York Cosmos)
Midfielders: Eric Calvillo (New York Cosmos), Pierre Da Silva (Orlando City SC), Luca De La Torre (Fulham FC), Sebastien Des Pres (RSL Arizona), Ander Egiluz (Athletic Bilbao), Nelson Hunsinger (Leg A-Z), Weston McKinnie (FC Dallas)
Forwards: Colby Agu (Capital Area Railhawks), Ernesto Espinoza (Club Tijuana), Joe Gallardo (Unattached), Brandon Vazquez (Club Tijuanna), Isaiah Young (PDA)
For more information on the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team visit USSoccer.com.
For more information on the Republic FC Academy visit www.sacrepublicfc.com.
