Christian Atsu: Footballer's body returned to Ghana

The assemblage of footballer Christian Atsu, who died erstwhile an earthquake deed Turkey 2 weeks ago, has been returned to his autochthonal Ghana.

The formation landed successful Accra precocious connected Sunday, and his coffin was carried distant by members of Ghana's equipped forces.

Atsu was recovered dormant connected Saturday nether his location successful confederate Turkey. He had been playing for the Hatayspor club.

The winger won 65 caps for Ghana's nationalist squad and helped his broadside scope the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final.

The 31-year-old besides played for Premier League sides Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle.

Speaking astatine Kotoka airdrome successful the superior Accra, Ghana's Vice-President Mahamudu Bawmia said: "We hoped against hope, each time that passed, we prayed and prayed. But alas, erstwhile helium was found, helium was nary more."

Mr Bawmia added the precocious footballer was overmuch loved and would beryllium sorely missed. "It is simply a achy loss, a precise achy one."

He promised Atsu would beryllium fixed a "befitting" burial.

Atsu had been missing since the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake connected 6 February caused the illness of his flat successful Antakya, successful hard-hit Hatay province.

The Hatayspor nine initially reported the subordinate had been rescued with injuries, but this presumption was aboriginal changed - and his cause confirmed the quality of his decease connected Twitter connected Saturday.

The footballer's remains were accompanied from Turkey by his household and Ghana's ambassador to Turkey, Francisca Ashietey-Odunton, Ghana's overseas ministry said.

The level landed astatine 19:25 GMT successful Accra wherever it was met by relatives, authorities officials and representatives of the Ghana Football Association.

The coffin was aboriginal owed to beryllium transported to a subject infirmary morgue.

On Saturday, his woman Marie-Claire Rupio and their 3 children joined fans marking a minute's soundlessness successful Newcastle, earlier the side's Premier League lucifer against Liverpool. Atsu played for Newcastle from 2016 to 2021.

Atsu's look was shown connected the large surface and distant fans chanted "you'll ne'er locomotion alone", earlier breaking into applause.

On Sunday, Ghana skipper Mohammed Kudus paid tribute to his erstwhile teammate aft scoring for Dutch broadside Ajax, removing his jersey to uncover a achromatic garment with "RIP Atsu" written connected it.

Meanwhile, the foundation Arms Around The Child haled Atsu - who has been an ambassador for the organisation since 2016 - and said helium had been the "main benefactor" of a schoolhouse successful Ghana that supports abandoned children, orphans, the chronically sick and those rescued from trafficking.

Atsu, they said, was "a young lad from poorness successful Ghana who followed his dreams and utilized his endowment and level to assistance others".