Former Kotoko and Hearts goalie Soulama Abdoulaye laid to rest (PHOTOS)

Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye has been laid to rest at the Tangora Road Cemetery in Burkina Faso, two days after he succumbed to illness on Friday night (October 27, 2017) aged 37.

The service for the former Burkina Faso international, a practicing Muslim was held in line with Islamic rites, including preaching and a prayer to the dead led by an Imam.

In attendance at the ceremony on Sunday were a huge crowd of friends, supporters, former players and the highest authorities of sport in Burkina Faso.

Soulama was eulogised by Bacheba Ouattara, the former captain of the USFRAN Bobo-Dioulasso (one of Soulama's former clubs) who delivered an address on behalf of his former teammates.

He saluted the memory of the deceased, praising his unique talent, charisma and jovial nature.

The President of the Burkina Faso Football Federation, Colonel Sita Sangaré, also praised the unique qualities of the deceased while the captain of the Burkina Faso national team (Stallions), Charles Kaboré, described Soulama as a "patriot who sacrificed himself for football and for his nation".

He added: "His departure is a great loss for football because when a player of the rank of Abdoulaye Soulama draws towards the end of his career, it is at this moment that one needs his experience and his advice for young people".

He also praised him for his stellar performances and service as a goalkeeper for the national team, concluding that: "For you, we will continue to fight to honour our homeland".

Mr Aboubacar Gansoré, who delivered a message of compassion and condolence on behalf of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, described the deceased as "a torchbearer of Burkina Faso and a reference especially for young people who wanted to embrace the goalkeeping career".

After that, there was a long funeral procession of more than a kilometre where the cortege made a brief stop at Soulama's family home in sector No. 5 before he was laid to rest at the Tangora Road Cemetery.

Background

The former Asante Kotoko SC and Hearts of Oak goalkeeper who also played for ASFA Yennega of Burkina Faso passed away in Bobo Dioulasso at the age of 37 after a long illness.

Following his return from Ghana where he spent a large part of his career, Abdoulaye Soulama was out of football and stayed in his hometown in Banfora before losing his life in Bobo-Dioulasso where he was receiving medical care.

The former first-choice goalie for the senior national team of Burkina Faso, The Stallions, had been hospitalized at the beginning of the year at the Banfora Regional Hospital.

Born on November 29, 1979, Abdoulaye Soulama began his first steps in football at the Comoé Sports Union (USCO) in Banfora.

He has also moved to clubs such as the Sports Association of Bobo-Dioulasso Officials (ASFB) and ASFA Yennenga. His last club was Accra's Heart Of Oak, which he joined after leaving Asante Kotoko of Koumassi (Ghana) where he was also the captain.

Soulama spent seven years with Kotoko. He was integral as Porcupine Warriors dominated the Ghana premier league, winning the title four times in seven seasons.

He had a tour in Algeria (CA Batan) before spending two years at the Turkish club Denezilispor where he played 25 games in two years.

The third choice goalkeeper at the 1998 African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Burkina Faso, Abdoulaye Soulama won the silver medal at the 2013 CAN in South Africa under coach Paul Put.

Abdoulaye Soulama is part of the legend of the great goalkeepers that Burkina Faso has known.

Last April, his brother lost his life following a traffic accident after he had lost a sister while serving his country at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations