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During Ramadan, Sounders’ Nouhou, Handwalla Bwana make it clear: ‘Religion comes first’

This used to be a rough time of year for Nouhou.

Ramadan is the holiest month for Muslims, a time for prayer, cleansing and family. Nouhou, a Sounders defender, has yearned for his family since the French-speaking Cameroonian signed with the club’s United Soccer League team in 2016.

Enter Handwalla Bwana. The Kenyan refugee, who graduated from Ballard High and played two seasons at the University of Washington before signing with the Sounders first-team as a homegrown player in January 2018, shares the Muslim faith with Nouhou.

“I really appreciate Handwalla because I don’t have family here and he takes care of me,” said Nouhou, who’s the second oldest of five children.