Ahead of a pre-season friendly game against Hull City on July 9, Hatayspor paid tribute to their fallen heroes including Ghana’s own, Christian Atsu.
The club, which indicated that the dead are “always in our hearts” posed for a photo comprising the starting XI and the jersey which was worn by Christian Atsu.
The 31-year-old up until his demise wore the number 30 jersey.
Her zaman kalbimizde ♥️#AtakaşHatayspor pic.twitter.com/n15455OB2U
— Hatayspor (@Hatayspor_FK) July 9, 2023
This was the first time the club returned to the pitch following the devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, killing Christian Atsu and Sporting Director Taner Savut.
Also, coach Volkan Demirel, on behalf of the club presented the jersey of Taner Savut to the bereaved family – the widow Pinar Savut and her daughters Alya and Cansin.
Teknik direktörümüz Volkan Demirel, deprem felaketinde kaybettiğimiz Sportif Direktörümüz Taner Savut’un kıymetli eşi Pınar Savut, kızları Alya ve Cansın Savut’a forma takdim etti. Taner hocamızı rahmet ve sevgiyle anıyoruz.#AtakaşHatayspor pic.twitter.com/34t413BxOv
— Hatayspor (@Hatayspor_FK) July 9, 2023
At the end of the friendly encounter, both teams ended up scoring a goal each.
Hull City took the lead in the 67th minute through Will Jarvis before an equaliser from Unal Durmushan in the 83rd minute.
Christian Atsu
Christian Atsu’s last touch as a footballer was scoring a brilliant free-kick for Hatayspor in a 1-0 win against Kasimpasa on February 5.
Per reports, he rescinded an earlier decision to fly to meet his family after the game to jubilate with his team.
Christian Atsu’s final moment as a footballer, scoring a free-kick in the last minute to win the game for Hatayspor, just hours before the earthquake struck.
— ToonArmy (@toonarmy_com) February 18, 2023
Life is so short and unexpected, treasure every moment. RIP Christian Atsu 🙏🖤 pic.twitter.com/7xJT4v7C5I
The late Christian Atsu was laid to rest on Friday, March 17, 2023, following the funeral rite held at the forecourt of the State house in Accra.
He is survived by his wife, Marie-Claire Rupio and his three children – Joshua, Christian and Abigail.
Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey