Hero: My experience counted on the field - Soulama Abdoulaye

Hearts of Oak shot stopper, Soulama Abdoulaye has stated that his experience on the Africa continent positively helped the Phobians to seal their qualification (1-0 aggregate) into the next stage of the Confederation Cup.

The Phobians on Saturday in Cotonou held on to their 1-0 first leg scoreline against AS Police as they battled for a goalless draw which push them into the next stage of the competition.

In the game, the Burkinabe import became the saviour for the Ghanaian side after saving a 28th minute penalty awarded to the host as he was on top of his game with his timely reflexes protecting his goal line vigorously, which eventually won him man of the match.

Soulama Andoulaye in an exclusive interview with  Allsports.com.gh  from the team's base in Cotonou said his experience on the field of play was the reason for Hearts of Oak's qualification.

' It was a tough game, in Africa football you need experience to battle your opponents, I will not take anything away from my team mates because they did very well in the game but my experience on the Africa continent positively helped the team. The penalty I saved was the manifestation of the experience I'm talking about when the penalty came I told my mates to remain calm because my aim is to not allow any ball into my net.'

The Burkinabe international added that, his aim is to help Hearts of Oak win laurels -  'I want to help Hearts of Oak to win laurels both local and international because I want to silence those who were criticizing me during my stints with Kotoko because of what happened to me last season in the club, I felt bad when I was accused of bribery by some section of the club's fans after the club lost to BYC in Liberia in the preliminary stages of the champions league which nearly dented my image as a footballer.'