The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has extended its condolence message to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and loved ones on the passing of Christian Atsu.
Atsu, a Ghanaian professional soccer player was found dead on February 18, 2023 under his home in southern Turkey after an earthquake hit that country two weeks ago. His body has since returned to Accra onboard a Turkish flight and was carried away by members of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“Atsu was not only a footballer but a philanthropist who touched so many lives in Ghana. Our prayers go to the GFA, family members and all those, who were dear to him. May God grant Atsu and all faithful departed eternal rest,” the LFA acting president, Sekou Konneh lamented.
The winger had been playing for Hatayspor and played 65 times for Ghana and thereby helped the Black Stars reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final. The 31-year-old also played for Premier League sides Everton and Newcastle.
Ghana’s Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has promised that Atsu will be given a “befitting” burial in honor of his many contributions towards the country national team and its citizenry.
Atsu had been missing since the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6 which caused the collapse of his apartment in Antakya, in hard-hit Hatay Province. Over 44,000 people are confirmed to have lost their lives across south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria.
Atsu played for Newcastle from 2016 to 2021 and his wife, Marie-Claire Rupio, and their three children joined fans marking a minute’s silence in Newcastle, before a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool on February 18.
Ghana’s captain Mohammed Kudus paid tribute to Atsu after scoring for Dutch side Ajax on February 19, removing his jersey to reveal a white shirt with “RIP Atsu” written on it.
Meanwhile, the charity Arms Around The Child hailed Atsu – who has been an ambassador for the organization 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.”
Source: africanentertainment.com
