Sports

Christian Atsu: Black Star Remains Lost in Turkey’s Rubble

The Ghana Football Association tells OkayAfrica: "We have sent numerous emails to Turkey’s Football Federation and we have since not received a response; no one is minding us."

The world of football is in a state of confusion and fear, as reports continue to circulate about the fate of Christian Atsu, the Ghanaian footballer who was reported to have been trapped under rubble following an earthquake in Turkey. It has been exactly 11 days since the initial reports, and the uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts has left many Ghanaians worried and deeply concerned.

Atsu plays for the Turkish Süper Lig club, Hatayspor, and was reportedly on the ninth floor of the collapsed building with nine other players and two officials. On Tuesday, February 6, Atsu was reported to have been pulled out alive from the wreckage after 26 hours and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

However, on Wednesday, February 8, Gurbey Kahveci, the team doctor of the club, said that both Atsu and the sporting director, Taner Savut, were still yet to be found, indicating a case of mistaken identity.

Atsu's whereabouts were unclear, and the Ghanaian ambassador to Turkey, Francisca Ashietey-Odunton, said they were unsure where he was, although attempts were ongoing to locate him.

Christian Atsu's wife, Marie-Claire Rupio, pleaded with the governments of Turkey and the United Kingdom to deploy more personnel and equipment to help rescue her husband and other people trapped in the rubble.

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