“Bouna Time!” for MLS at the African Cup of Nations

January 16th, 2008 | by: Daryl | Comments Off

You’d be forgiven for thinking MLS won’t be represented at the African Cup of Nations. But you’d be wrong. Colorado Rapids keeper Bouna Coundoul has been in the US for 11 years and been playing in MLS since 2005, and this season his performances between the sticks got the attention of Senegal coach Henryk Kasperczak, so now Condoul is in Senegal’s African Cup of Nations squad as the sole MLS player in the whole tournament.

Playing in MLS probably wasn’t the best way to prepare for Ghana 2008. The season finished way back in November, with the Rapids finishing even earlier as they didn’t make the playoffs. And it’s likely Bouna won’t see much playing time, being behind Lille’s Tony Sylva in the goalkeeping pecking order and competing with Cheikh Tidiane N’Diaye for the back-up gloves. But it’s great for the league to be represented by Condoul He’s popular at Colorado after turning up for a game in traditional Senegalese clothes and coining the phrase “Bouna Time!” Rapids fans have even put together a Bouna Time! fan site for their keeper, so his presence should at least give neutral AFCON viewers in the Rockies a team to support over the next few weeks.