African Footballers Pay Tribute to Burkina Faso Goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye

The football world has been mourning the loss of Burkinabe goalie Soulama Abdoulaye, who died in a hospital in Bobo-Dioulasson on October 27 after suffering from a long illness. He was 37-years-old.

Soulama earned 42 caps for the Burkina Faso national team, Les Etalons (The Stallions), and was part of the team that finished in 2nd place at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

He'd recently been playing for Ghanaian Premier League teams Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, with both clubs offering their condolences on Twitter. Soulama had previously played internationally in the Algerian and Turkish leagues.

A minute of silence to be observed for Soulama Abdoulaye, who passed away last night, before @MTNFACupgh final kick off.#AHOSC #MTNFACUPGH pic.twitter.com/RxBxvTCfaO
— Accra Hearts of Oak (@HeartsOfOakGH) October 28, 2017

We're saddened to confirm news of the passing of Soulama Abdoulaye. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family & the Porcupine fraternity😢 pic.twitter.com/4lzonC1jEJ
— Asante Kotoko SC (@AsanteKotoko_SC) October 28, 2017

Burkina Faso's big footballing names and other African stars have also been mourning the passing of Soulama, as seen quoted in the BBC.

"You were the best goalkeeper in Burkina," said Burkina Faso international Mohammed Koffi. "You were a big brother and a team-mate...RIP Abdoulaye Soulama."

Ghanaian national team goalie, Razak Brimah, said "It's sad news. Africa has lost a great goalkeeper. Allah knows. Rest in peace Soulama."

Former Ghana defender Anthony Baffoe called Soulama a "great guy with leadership qualities. "What sad news, he was a leader, very outspoken. He was a talented goalkeeper and our condolences to his family."

See some more reactions from social media below.

RIP to Burkina Faso goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama. I'll never forget the face he did when he caught the ball out of the area at AFCON 2013. pic.twitter.com/6WBibAKHaS
— Salim Masoud Said (@salimosaid) October 28, 2017

I was shocked to learn that Soulama Abdoulaye has been passed away. pic.twitter.com/8WWLtYnriM
— Kenichi Yatsuhashi (@keni_yats_coach) October 28, 2017

Rest Well goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye. You protected your posts so well. Time for Allah to protect you. Africa football will miss you pic.twitter.com/WO3fSzET4s
— Sports Obama (@SaddickAdams) October 28, 2017

Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Burkina Faso's goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye. A special person, a popular man & a wonderful goalie. pic.twitter.com/3R6kRLn03k
— Rahman osman (@iamrahmanosman) October 28, 2017

May ur soul Rest In Peace my freind Soulama Abdoulaye.. my condolences to his family 🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Kd3uxpBAaa
— Rashid Sumaila (@rashidsumaila37) October 28, 2017

SAD NEWS: Burkina Faso, goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye. RIP brother 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #RIPSOULAMA #Allahnosbest pic.twitter.com/lQsCuZOM9e
— Razak.131 (@RazakBrimah) October 28, 2017

WATCH: Former @AsanteKotoko_SC and @HeartsOfOakGH goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye dies at age 37.#PulseGhana #PulseTV #RIPSoulama pic.twitter.com/36hYPfyNGi
— Pulse Ghana (@PulseGhana) October 28, 2017