Ghanaian superstar Christian Atsu’s body has been flown home (SEE DETAILS)
Christian Atsu, a former winger for Newcastle and Chelsea, perished in Turkey’s earthquake; his remains were flown home on Sunday.
On February 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that shook Syria and Turkey killed almost 44,000 people in both nations, including the 31-year-old athlete.
His remains will travel on a Turkish Airlines flight with his family and Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey and will land in Accra, Ghana’s capital, on Sunday at 7:40 p.m., according to the nation’s foreign ministry.
Atsu‘s twin sister and older brother were there when his death was found at the scene, the ministry reported on Saturday.
”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.
On February 5, Atsu scored the final of his 33 career goals for Hatayspor in Turkey‘s Super Lig, only hours before the earthquake struck.
On Twitter, his Turkish top-flight club paid him tribute.
“There are no words to describe our sadness.
“We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person.”
He had previously represented the Black Stars, his home nation.
“Football has lost one of its finest ambassadors, one who will be difficult to replace,” stated Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo.
