Kandji Close to Return

FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)

Sulayman Bah

13 June 2011

For the first time in more than six months, Gambia-hopeful and 2010 MLS Cup hero Macoumba Kandji is set to rejoin his Colorado Rapids teammates on the pitch.

The Senegal-born forward, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on the match-winning play in MLS Cup last November, told MLS on Wednesday that he was confident he would get medical approval to resume full training.

“I know I am feeling good,” he said. “First, there should be just a little bit of contact [in training] and then we can build it up from there.”

Kandji was on his way to get MRI confirmation from his doctor in New York City, Dr. Riley Williams, who did the initial surgery on the ACL and has been working with the 25-year-old forward to rehab the injury. Kandji is familiar with Williams from his playing days in New York, as the doctor serves as the team physician for the Red Bulls.

“I feel very comfortable to have done the surgery with him,” Kandji said. “I feel close to him because I worked with him in New York, where I also broke my foot.”

It’s been a slow and frustrating walk back to health for Kandji, who played an important role in the Rapids’ title run after he was acquired from New York in September of last year. He credits the Colorado coaching staff and his teammates for helping him through such a difficult period.

The closeness of the Rapids as a unit – something that was much discussed last year – has been key, Kandji says support has come from many of the players, including the African

Kandji says he has particularly enjoyed talking his native Wolof language with Nyassi, with whom he has had many conversations about whether to try and represent his country of birth, Senegal, or the country where he grew up, Gambia.

Kandji says he wants to play for Gambia, much to the friendly annoyance of another old friend and former teammate, ex-Rapids and current Red Bulls ‘keeper Bouna Coundoul. Coundoul plays for the Senegal national team.

“I am still very close to [Coundoul] and we speak on the phone often,” Kandji said. “Bouna always gives me a hard time for choosing Gambia.”

Official for Gambia senior national matters Terema Dahaba in earlier discussion told this paper, the GFA is working to get Kandji’s naturalization papers sorted out. Kandji is born to a Gambian and a Senegalese father.

AllAfrica – All the Time