Family, friends and former teammates paid their respects to late footballer Christian Atsu, whose funeral was held at the forecourt of the state house in Accra, Ghana on Friday, March 17, 2023.
In attendance was the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, his vice Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-president of Atsu’s Turkish club, Hatayspor, Mustafa Özat, Minister of Youth and Sport, Mustapha Ussif, president of the Ghana football association, Kurt E.S Okraku, head coach of the Black Stars, Chris Houghton, senior Government officials, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, former players and teammates of Atsu among others.
Also present were his wife Marie-Claire Rupio and three kids, who flew in from England last night.
Some of his teammates present were former Black Stars teammates including Isaac Vorsah, John Paintsil, Sulley Muntari, Sammy Kuffour among others.
Many residents from Ga- Adangbe state and Senya Breku made their way to the capital city to say their goodbyes to their idol.
Atsu met his untimely death through a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria weeks ago.
Prior to his death, the former Newcastle man was the hero in their game against Besiktas as he came in from the bench to grab the winner for Hatayspor from a set-piece.
Atsu left behind a wife, Marie-Claire Rupio and three children, two sons and a daughter.
He made 65 appearance for the Black Stars with nine goals, helping Ghana finish as runners-up at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, in which he won Player of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament.
"Lying before me today is the mortal remains of a beloved father and husband. I knew little that morning that God is going to call you home.
In life, I love you dearly. In death I do the same. It breaks my heart to lose you.
You did not go alone."
"For part of me went with you.
Your love is still my guide, and though I cannot see you
You are always on my side.
You were always so full of life.
You seemed to be immortal."
"Your smile, your love, I see you in our children’s smile.
You are never really gone as part of you is within them.
You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.
But as you always say, God win. In Love, your wife", Atsu's wife Rupio emotionally said.
The magical left-footed winger had stints with FC Porto, AFC Bournemouth, Newcastle United, FC Everton, Malaga and Chelsea.
President Akufo Addo filed past the remains of Christian Atsu 💔#3Sports #RIPChristianAtsu pic.twitter.com/H211u9f6YF
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) March 17, 2023
