Born on October 27, 1998 in Buyenzi, a suburb of Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi, Youssuf Nyange Ndayishimiye never knew he would one day be a top footballer.
The 26-year-old, the eldest of three siblings is currently one of the captains of French Ligue I side, OGC Nice.
Ndayishimiye started out his career in his home area before his career officially got recognised at Burundi premier league side Aigle Noir, one of the most prominent football clubs in the East African country where he spent four years – 2016 to 2020.
Moving to Europe
In 2020, Ndayishimiye who admits to growing up with his mother where the family lacked even the basic of necessities, he got the breakthrough in Europe in January when he joined Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor.
Just a year later he was on the move again, sealing a switch to Istanbul Basaksehir.
The defender is now well settled on the Cote d’Azur as vice-captain of Nice.
“One day I had to borrow boots from a friend when a second division club, Les Lierres, had agreed to sign me,” Ndayishimiye told BBC Great Lakes in an interview.
“I was devastated when he refused to lend me the boots [for a trial], but I didn’t give up.
“I knew that there was no other way to help me get out of this life than through football,” he said.
From a tough childhood to where he is now, the centre back who can also play as a defensive midfielder says not losing hope was important.
“You should not lose hope. Look at the homes you grew up in, look at your destitute families, then wake up early and work hard to get your families out of poverty.
“So, it is vital for the youth to keep hope, respect God and work hard. None of us were born with the success we’ve reached.”
Hope to take Burundi back to Afcon
When Burundi their bow at Afcon 2019, Ndayishimiye was overlooked but all hope is not lost as he wants to lead his small country to the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in the near future.
“There might be some challenges we don’t always talk about, internal hurdles that we have to overcome, but ahead are three Afcons I want to lead my team to,” he said.
“I’m now confident that I’ll lead the Swallows to the upcoming 2027, 2029 and 2031 tournaments – and I believe that we will lift one of them.”
Academy dream in Burundi
He could be flourishing in France with Nice, a side he joined for a record fee for a Burundian player €11.5m ($13m, £9.75m) in 2023, but he still remembers home as he looks to set up a football academy to support children from underprivileged families.
“A football career has a limited time span and I know that I have to make some savings, keeping in mind my poor background, so that I do not return to that life.
“That’s advice I give my team-mates – manage your good salaries wisely so that we don’t end up in regret.
“That’s why, once I retire, I plan to open a school named after me.”
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