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Christian Atsu Laid To Rest In Accra

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Former Chelsea and Newcastle United footballer Christian Atsu who died in the Turkey earthquake in February has been laid to rest today, March 17.

Christian Atsu, who made his international debut for Ghana in 2012 was given a festival-like burial in the capital city of Ghana, Accra.

Christian Atsu’s casket.

During the burial ceremony which took place at Ghana’s presidential villa, hundreds of people including the president of the country, Nana Akufo-Addo were in attendance to pay their last respects.

Also, representatives of Ghana’s national team and Atsu’s Turkish club Hatayspor were present at the funeral.

Naija News recalls that Christian Atsu left the Saudi Arabian club Al Raed to join the Turkish club, Hatayspor last summer.

Unfortunately, he was declared missing after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey which led to the collapse of a building he was in on February 6.

After a series of back and forth, his management team announced that the former Newcastle star has been found dead on February 18.

His remains were later flown to Ghana, his home county for burial which finally took place earlier today.

During the funeral of Christian Atsu who left behind two sons and a daughter, his wife, Marie-Claire Rupio, gave an emotional tribute to her husband who died aged 31.

Christian Atsu Laid To Rest In Accra

Christian Atsu’s three children and wife at his funeral in Accra on Friday.

In tears, Marie-Claire Rupio read, “In life I love you, darling, in death, I’ll do the same.

“You did not go alone, for part of me went with you. Your smile, your love I see in our children’s smiles.”

Atsu played 65 times for Ghana, helping the team get to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea, where he was named player of the competition and also won the goal of the tournament.