March 20 – Ghana’s president was among hundreds of mourners who paid their last respects at the funeral on Friday of former international Christian Atsu, who died last month in the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John all attended the service at State House, the seat of the West African nation’s parliament.
Atsu had been playing for Hatayspor in Turkey’s Süper Lig when he went missing. His remains were recovered from a collapsed apartment building where he lived in the Turkish city of Antakya on February 18, nearly two weeks after the quake.
Atsu, who also had spells at Premier League clubs Chelsea and Newcastle, played more than 60 times for his country and was part of the Ghana squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
He also starred at the 2015 African Cup of Nations, scoring two goals to help Ghana to the final, where it lost in a penalty shootout to Ivory Coast. He was named the player of the tournament.
He was also involved in numerous charities in Ghana.
“The painful loss of Atsu has undoubtedly created an indelible imprint on the minds and hearts of compatriots, friends, family and (the) nation. At the peak of his career, Atsu remained himself and was not overtaken by pride and arrogance and indiscipline,” said Ghana Sports Minister Mustapha Yussif.
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