By Victor Kanayo
The body of Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu, who was confirmed dead on Saturday February 18, 2023, about 10 days after the disastrous earthquake in Turkey has been returned home.
The coffin containing the body of Atsu arrived at the Kotoka International Airport in Ghana, Sunday night, and was received by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and a large military honour guard.
The coffin was carried by Pallbearers, as it was escorted off the plane and onto his final resting place.
Aged 31, Atsu had been missing since the Feb. 6 earthquake, following the collapse of an apartment building in Hatay.
“We hoped against hope, every day that passed, we prayed and prayed. But alas, when he was found, he was no more,” Bawumia told a crowd of mourners on the tarmac.
Atsu had been scheduled to fly out of southern Turkey hours before the quake but Hatayspor’s manager said on Friday, the Ghanaian had opted to stay with the club after scoring the winning goal in a February 5 Super Lig match.
He joined Hatayspor in September last year, after spells with English Premier League clubs Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle United.
He also won 65 caps for Ghana and helped them reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they lost to Ivory Coast on penalties.
He was last selected to play for Ghana in 2019.
Tributes have continued to pour in since his exit was announced two days ago.
The Ghana Football Association led torrents of tributes with Confederation of African Football, (CAF) and Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) joining millions of mourners across the world to show sympathy.
