Ghana and the footballing world today, Friday, March 17, 2023, mourn the passing of former Ghanaian International and Chelsea winger Christian Atsu, as his final funeral rite is being held.
The final funeral rite was slated for the forecourt of the State House and will be followed by burial at the cemetery at his hometown Dogobome in the Greater Accra Region.
The thanksgiving service, according to the funeral arrangements will also take place at the Forecourt of the State House on the same day as the burial.
It will be followed by family gathering on Sunday, March 19, at the family house at St. Peter Mission School, where Atsu’s family will discuss other important related matters of the deceased.
To pay last respects to the former footballer, Ghanaians, especially the footballing front, the entertainment industry, clergy, politicians among others are expected to attend the player’s farewell ceremony.
Attendees of the final funeral rites would don black attire for the occasion following request made by the deceased’s family as part of the funeral arrangements.
High profiled persons including Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo, and other prominent government officials are expected to attend the occasion.
Christian Atsu’s death
Christian Atsu was among the casualties in the twin 7.8 magnitude earthquake of Turkey and Syria that occurred on February 6, 2023, and collapsed his apartment in Antakya, in Hatay province.
He went missing but was later found dead under his home building by the rescue team and subsequently the confirmation of the news of his death by his agent on Twitter. His remains thus arrived in Ghana on February 19, 2023.
Career
Christian Atsu, at club level played for Cheetah FC (Ghana), Rio Ave (Portugal), FC Porto (Portugal), Chelsea FC (England), AFC Bournemouth (England), Everton FC (England), Malaga CF (Spain), Newcastle United (England), Vitesse (Netherlands), Al-Raed (Saudi Arabia) and Hatayspor (Turkey).
In total, he made 249 appearances for club football scoring 23 goals in all the teams he played for excluding Cheetah FC where he began his footballing career.
Christian Atsu made 65 appearances for Ghana National team and scored 9 goals to his name. He is most remembered during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea where he helped his side reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final.
His outstanding performance saw him adjudged as the Best Player of the Tournament and got him into the Team of the Tournament.
Atsu, was also a member of the Black Stars squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The 31-year-old left behind a widow Maria Claire Rupio and three children, namely, Joshua Christian Rupio Twasam, Godwin Rupio Twasam and Abigail Rupio Twasam.
