Christian Atsu’s body arrives Ghana, Govt. promises “befitting” burial

By Amaechi Agbo

Former Chelsea, Newcastle and Ghana Black Stars player, Christian Atsu’s body arrived Ghana on Sunday as the Ghanaian government promised a befitting burial for the ex player.

Atsu, 31, who died after an earthquake hit Turkey two weeks ago, has been returned to his native Ghana via a Turkish airline.

The flight landed in Accra late on Sunday, and his coffin was carried away by members of Ghana’s armed forces.

Atsu was found dead on Saturday under his home in southern Turkey. He had been playing for the Hatayspor club of Turkey and scored in what became his last football match on earth in Hatayspor’s 1-0 home win against Kasımpaşa on Sunday, February 5.

The winger played 65 times for Ghana’s national team and helped his side reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final.

Speaking at Kotoka airport in the capital Accra, Ghana’s VicePresident Mahamudu Bawumia said: “We hoped against hope, every day that passed, we prayed and prayed. But alas, when he was found, he was no more.”

Mr Bawumia added the late footballer was much loved and would be sorely missed. “It is a painful loss, a very painful one.”

He promised Atsu would be

•FIFA, NFF, GFA, Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, others pay tributes

given a “befitting” burial.

Atsu had been missing since the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 6 February caused the collapse of his apartment in Antakya, in hard-hit Hatay province.

The Hatayspor club initially reported the player had been rescued with injuries, but this position was later changed - and his agent confirmed the news of his death on Twitter on Saturday.

Over 44,000 people are confirmed to have lost their lives across south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria.

The footballer’s remains were accompanied from Turkey by his family and Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey, Francisca AshieteyOdunton, Ghana’s foreign ministry said.

The plane landed at 19:25 GMT in Accra where it was met by relatives, government officials and representatives of the Ghana Football Association.

The coffin was later due to be transported to a military hospital morgue.

On Saturday, his wife MarieClaire Rupio and their three children joined fans marking a minute’s silence in Newcastle, before the side’s Premier League match against Liverpool. Atsu played for Newcastle from 2016 to 2021.

Atsu’s face was shown on the big screen and away fans chanted “you’ll never walk alone”, before breaking into applause.

On Sunday, Ghana captain Mohammed Kudus paid tribute to his former teammate after scoring for Dutch side Ajax, removing his jersey to reveal a white shirt with “RIP Atsu” written on it.

Meanwhile, the charity Arms Around The Child haled Atsu - who has been an ambassador for the organisation since 2016 - and said he had been the “main benefactor” of a school in Ghana that supports abandoned children, orphans, the chronically ill and those rescued from trafficking. Atsu, they said, was “a young boy from poverty in Ghana who followed his dreams and used his talent and platform to help others”.

FIFA, NFF, GFA, Chelsea, Newcastle, Premier League, others pay tributes

The world football fraternity have continued to express their grief and condolences following the death of Christian Atsu, a former Chelsea, Newcastle and Ghana Black Stars player whose death was confirmed on Saturday, February 17, 2023.

Atsu, 31, was among thousands of persons trapped in the rubble of 7.8 magnitude that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday 6.

Following 11 days of efforts to rescue him and others, Atsu’s dead body was found on Saturday as confirmed by his agent, Nana Sechere and his last club, Hatayspor of Turkey

The Ghanaian footballer had been missing since the 6 February quake that caused the collapse of his apartment in Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.

His agent Nana Sechere, who has been in Hatay, confirmed the news on Saturday on Twitter, writing: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning.

“My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.”

World Football governing body

FIFA, Ghana Football Association, GFA, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF as well as Chelsea, Premier League, Newcastle, Everton Football Clubs have paid their tributes and expressed sadness over his death.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Christian Atsu.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and all those affected by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria,” FIFA said via tweet.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF said “We Are sending our deepest condolences to the family of Ghanaian international Christian

Atsu, his friends and our brothers @ghanafaofficial. May his soul rest in peace.” the federation said via it’s Twitter handle

“The Ghana Football Association has received the sad news of the recovery of the body of Christian Atsu from the rubble following the earthquake that struck Southern and Central Turkey on Monday, February 6, 2023.

“The Ghana Embassy in Turkey, his club Hatayspor and his agent Nana Sechere have confirmed that the body was recovered early this morning, Saturday, February 18, 2023 after almost two weeks of emotional torture.

“We would like to express our deepest condolences to his wife and children, the family, loved ones and the football community,” Ghana FA said inna statement on their verified Twitter handle.

Premier League and Everton Football Club also expressed their condolences

“We are deeply saddened by the news Christian Atsu lost his life in the devastation of the earthquakes that have hit Turkey and Syria.

‘Our thoughts and condolences are with Christian’s family and friends and everyone affected by this tragic event,” Premier League said Everton expressed their sympathy to Atsu’s family, club and “everyone affected by his death”

“We are deeply saddened by today’s news that Christian Atsu has been found dead following the earthquake in Turkey earlier this month.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues at @ Hatayspor_FK and everyone affected by this tragic event that has claimed so many lives,” the club said on a tweet

“There are no words to describe our sadness,” tweeted his Turkish top-flight club Hatayspor.

“We will not forget you, Atsu.

Peace be upon you, beautiful person.”

Newcastle United also registered their condolences tweeting “We are profoundly saddened to learn that Christian Atsu has tragically lost his life in Turkey’s devastating earthquakes.

“A talented player and a special person, he will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters.”

In the aftermath of the quake, Hatayspor initially reported Atsu had been rescued “with injuries”, but a day later that position changed.

Christian Atsu won 65 caps for Ghana and helped the Black Stars reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final in Equatorial Guinea where Ghana lost to Ivory Coast on penalties.

The earthquake and aftershocks in southern Turkey and northern Syria are known to have killed more than 40,000 people.