Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul has been named to the Senegal national team for the African Cup of Nations, which is set to be played in Ghana from Jan. 20 through Feb. 10.
Coundoul is currently training with his teammates in his home country, put through their paces by head coach Henryk Kasperczak. The Lions of Teranga are scheduled to compete in two friendlies before taking on Tunisia in their first Cup of Nations match on Jan. 23. They will also meet Angola and South Africa in group play.
Senegal took fourth in the 2006 edition of the African continental championship, losing to eventual winners Egypt in the semifinals.
Coundoul made his international debut after the completion of the 2007 MLS season, earning his first cap in a 3-2 victory against Mali on Nov. 17, 2007 in Paris.
Coundoul missed only 32 minutes of league play for the Rapids in 2007. He finished third in Major League Soccer with a goals against average of 1.08. His 120 saves were tied for second-best in the league and his nine shutouts were the most by a Colorado 'keeper since 2004.
Senegal might be best known for its 1-0 upset of France in the opening game of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. That team made it to the quarterfinals, where they lost to Turkey in extra time. Senegal is currently ranked No. 38 in the FIFA World Ranking and is the fifth-highest ranked African team.
