African football is mourning the death of former Burkina Faso goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye who died from a long illness in hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso aged 37.

Soulama won 42 caps for his country and played twice as the Stallions 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.


Rivals Asante Kotoko of Kumasi, for whom Abdoulaye also played, expressed their condolences.

"We are saddened to confirm the passing of Soulama Abdoulaye. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and the Porcupine fraternity," Kotoko tweeted.

Some of Burkina Faso's top stars and notable Africans have also been playing tribute to the veteran goalkeeper.