Liberia Football Association extends its condolence message to Ghana Football Association, Ghanaians, family members and loved ones on the passing of Christian Atsu.
Atsu was found dead on 18 February under his home in southern Turkey after an earthquake hit the country two weeks ago.
By Jaheim T. Tumu, [email protected]
His body returned to Accra on 19 February onboard a Turkish flight and was carried away by members of Ghana’s armed forces.
“Atsu was not only a footballer but a philanthropist. He 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,” said acting LFA President Sekou Konneh.
The winger had been playing for Hatayspor and played 65 times for Ghana, helping the Black Stars reached 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 Atsu would be given a “befitting” burial.
Atsu had been missing since the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 6 February 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 18 February.
Ghana captain Mohammed Kudus paid tribute to Atsu after scoring for Dutch side Ajax on 19 February, removing his jersey to reveal a white shirt with “RIP Atsu” written on it.
Meanwhile, the charity Arms Around The Child haled 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”.