Abdoulaye Soulama starts from the bench against Ghana

By Ameenu Shardow

Burkina Faso have dropped goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama for their semi final match against Ghana.

The Stallions have benched their no.1 goalkeeper for fear of a conspiracy by the 33-year-old to throw the game to the Black Stars.

Soulama plays his football in Ghana with giants Asante Kotoko.

This sparked some conspiracy theories the ex ASFA Yennega glovesman could play it soft to aid the country where his bread is buttered on a regular basis.

Coach Paul Putt has however decided not to give further credence to this perception, hence his choice of Diakite Daouda in post.

Soulama has in any case appear to have lost his starting role to Daouda since his expulsion in the group game against Ethiopia earlier on in the competition.

He has also had to deal with immense psychological trauma with news of his father’s passing during the tournament.

Putt has also kept faith with livewire Jonathan Pitriopa who is expected to keep the Ghana full-backs busy all-night-long at the Mbombela Stadium.

Captain Charles Kabore takes up his usual midfield role with the burly Aristide Bance the preferred choice upfront rather than the experienced Moumouni Dagano.

Burkina Faso line up:

Diakite Daouda, Bakary Kone, Koffi Mohammed, Kone Djakaridja, Rouamba Florent, Koulibaly Paul, Jonathan Pitroipa, Saidou Panandetiguiri, Charles Kabore, Nakoulma Prejuce and Aristide Bance.