Showing posts with label African football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African football. Show all posts

Saturday

Turkey Earthquake: Ghana legend and former Chelsea and Newcastle United star Christian Atsu found dead

Christian Atsu - Getty Images
CC™ Global News

By Deji Komolafe - Deputy Editor

“What makes this news even more tragic is that Atsu had cancelled his flight scheduled to leave Turkey at 11pm after he scored a dramatic late goal to help his team Hatayspor win their Turkish Super Lig match against Kasimpasa, the night before the earthquake.

He cancelled his 11pm flight and then at 4am, the deadly earthquake struck. Absolute tragedy!”

According to reports, the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria and left the country in ruins claimed around 41,000 lives. Despite the fact that rescue operations are still looking, the number of those who are still missing has not been announced. Meanwhile, the Ghanaian star’s death has been made public knowledge. 

Noteworthy that the Turkish Süper Lig challengers Hatayspor first claimed Atsu had been rescued with injuries after the catastrophe, but the club quickly reversed its stance and then claimed the former Everton player was still missing.  

Days later, the player’s agent, Nana Sechere, publicly stated that his client had passed away, claiming that the corpse was found beneath the wreckage of his house over two weeks after the Turkey earthquake. It was confirmed on Saturday morning that Atsu was killed by the earthquake, which has claimed more than 45,000 lives and injured thousands more.

Millions of people have been left without water, electricity and heating in southern Turkey and northern Syria.

The 31-year-old has played 64 times for Ghana since making his debut under Kwesi Appiah in 2012, tallying 10 goals and 9 assists.

May his soul rest in peace.