African football is mourning the demise of former Burkina Faso goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye who died from a long illness in hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso at the age of 37.
Late Soulama had 42 caps for his country and played twice as they finished runners- up at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. His last professional club Accra Hearts of Oak led the tributes, announcing plans to observe a minute’s silence before their Ghanaian FA Cup final against Asante Kotoko on Sunday.
“We are shocked to learn of the passing of our former goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye. We extend our deepest commiserations to his family,” Hearts announced.
Soulama began his international career at 19 as Burkina Faso’s third goalkeeper at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations tournament on home soil. He started as first choice during the 2013 tournament in South Africa but he was sent off against Ethiopia in the second group game.
His club career started at home with Comoé Sports Union (USCO), then Bobo-Dioulasso Sports Association (ASFB) and the ASFA Yennega. He has also played in Algeria (CA Batna) and Turkey (Denizlispor).
