The remains of former Black Star Player, Christian Atsu, was received by the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and some dignitaries at the Kotoka International Airport, yesterday February,19,2023.
The footballer died in a devastating earthquake in Turkey.
The 31-year-old was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing more than 44,000 people in both countries.
There were initial reports that the former Chelsea and Newcastle player had been rescued.
Subsequently, the reports turned out to be false and his body was found on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
“The remains will be accompanied by his family and Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey on a Turkish airlines flight and will arrive in Accra (Ghana’s capital) at 7:40 p.m. Sunday,” an early statement from the foreign ministry said.
His widow Marie-Claire Rupio and their three children were in the stands at St James’ Park on Saturday to join in a tribute to the player before Newcastle’s Premier League match against Liverpool.
Atsu scored the last of his 33 career goals for Hatayspor in Turkey’s Super Lig on February 5, hours before the quake struck.
“There are no words to describe our sadness,” tweeted his Turkish top-flight club in homage to him.
He previously played for his national team the Black Stars and Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said “football has lost one of its finest.
Details about the final funeral rites are yet to be announced by the family.
