Its “Buona’s Time” Again

Colorado Rapids (MLS) goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul is making international headlines again for the country of Senegal. Bouna has been named to the Senegal National Team, who will play in the the first group round of World Cup qualifying in Africa. “I am excited to once again represent my nation,” Coundoul said. “I am going to Senegal to try and be the starter.”

Senegal will play in Group 6 with Algeria, Liberia and Gambia. The Lions of Teranga will host Algeria on May 31st, travel to Gambia on June 8th and continue on to Liberia on the June 15th before hosting Liberia on June 21st. The final two games of the Group 6 stage will be played in September and October of 2008.

The 12 group winners and eight best runners-up will advance to the second group round where the teams will be split into five groups of four. The winners of those five groups will join South Africa, the host nation, in the 2010 World Cup.

This season, Coundoul has played in the net every minute for the Rapids. He is currently tied for third among MLS goalies with a 1.13 goals-against average and is tied for first with four shutouts.

Bouna has shared that he has some mixed feelings about his upcoming hiatus from the Rapids, as he supports the Senegal National team in its bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

“Colorado is my team,” Coundoul has said. “These guys for the last four years have been loyal to me.”

During the 2007 season, Bouna Coundoul established himself as the starting first team goalkeeper for the Rapids. One of the top three goalies in the league, he earned himself the Rapids Defensive Player of the Year award. Coundoul was awarded the Rapids’ “U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year award” for his efforts in his native Senegal. Bouna raised funds for children in Senegal by selling jerseys in the style of the Senegal National Team emblazoned with his trademark “Bouna Time” slogan. Coundoul earned his first national team start for Senegal on January 31, 2008, when he appeared as the starting ‘keeper in a brilliant 1-1 draw performance in the African Cup of Nations.

Born March 4, 1982 in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, Bouna came to the US in 1997 and lived in the Bronx with his three older brothers, Amadou, Aly and Abe Coundol. The rest of his family lives in Senegal.

Coundoul plays Saturday, May 24^th, against Chivas USA before joining Senegal for a month. Senegal is looking to make a strong showing on the world stage and rebound from a disappointing campaign in the African Nations Cup this past winter. Senegal did not advance out of group play in the African Nations Cup having finished 0-2-1 with ties against Tunisia and South Africa and a loss to Angola.

The Senegal National Soccer team may be best known for its 1-0 upset of France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup. The Senegal team went on to make it to the quarterfinals where they lost to Turkey in extra time. The Lions of Teranga are currently ranked no. 38 in the FIFA Rankings and are the fifth highest ranked African team.