The remains of Christian Atsu, the Ghanaian international footballer who perished in Turkey has arrived in Accra.
The remains were received at the Kotoka International Airport by the family, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), and the government upon its arrival from Istanbul, Türkiye.”
Atsu’s lifeless body was retrieved from the wreckage in Turkey after an 11-storey building collapsed on him and others during an earthquake in Turkey and Syria on February 6.
Earlier, reports indicated that the footballer was rescued from the rubble and had been admitted at the hospital where he was receiving treatment.
Later, reports suggest the issue was a case of mistaken identity.
However, the Turkish club confirmed the news mid-morning on Saturday, following earlier submissions to that effect by the player’s two agents.
The devastating earthquake in Turkey 12 days ago had left friends and loved ones of the player waiting for positive news about a miraculous escape from the disaster.
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and several Ghanaians have been eulogizing the Ghanaian international footballer.
President Akufo-Addo said Christian Atsu will sorely be missed.
He extended the Government and people of Ghana’s sincere, heartfelt condolences to the widow, children and family of the late footballer adding that “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away”
Former President John Dramani Mahama has also sent a word of consolation to the family of the deceased.
He also in a Facebook post, said until the body of the player was recovered, Ghanaians were hopeful for better news.
He said: “We all held our breaths, and we prayed as we heard the miracles of people pulled out of the rubble.
“We prayed that ours would be one of those miracles, too. Alas, it was not to be. But in all, we give thanks to the almighty God for giving Atsu to us even for the short 31 years of his life.” former president Mahama added.
Assin Central Member of Parliament and NPP flagbearer aspirant Kennedy Agyapong has also mourned the passing of Christian Atsu.
In a statement, he said “we cannot question God in this heartbreaking situation but at least, we can mourn and share the pain of loved ones in these trying moments.”
Christian Atsu won 65 caps for Ghana and helped the Black Stars reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final in Equatorial Guinea.
He also played 258 club games from ten different clubs ranging from FC Porto to Hatayaspor, scoring 24 times and providing 30 assists in the process.
