According to Hatayspor's Administrative Manager, Fatih Ilek, Christian Atsu was due a trip to visit his family before the devastating earthquakes in Turkey.
Atsu was set to leave Turkey to go and see his family but cancelled his plane ticket shortly following his performance which earned Hatayspor a win over Kasimpasa in the Turkish top flight.
The 31-year-old after missing for days after the earthquake on February 6, was confirmed dead on Saturday, February 18, with his remains found.
Ilek reveals Atsu had plans of leaving Turkey but his goal in his last game for the club changed his mind as he joined in the celebrations.
"Christian Atsu told the coach that he wanted to take more time before our match with Gaziantep FK. 'Can I leave if I find a team?' he said. Volkan Demirel also accepted this request," he told Radyospor.
"He didn't play against Gaziantep FK, but scored a last-minute goal in the Kasımpasa match. Actually, he was going abroad to visit his family. But when he played well and scored, he cancelled his ticket. The earthquake happened on his happiest day. He had a flight at 11 pm. Cancelled the ticket. There was an earthquake at 4 am. Absolutely a tragedy."
Since the confirmation of his death, tributes have been pouring in for the former Black Stars international from his former teammates, clubs as well as some of the football associations.
Latest Stories
-
Bulk Oil Distributors object to government’s plan to designate BEST sole off-taker
7 mins -
NPP likely to retain Ejisu seat – Global InfoAnalytics
12 mins -
Government allocates $20m for Kpong Irrigation Scheme expansion
17 mins -
Today’s front pages: Friday, April 26, 2024
18 mins -
Suspend implementation of Planting for Food and Jobs 2.0 – Stakeholders to government
18 mins -
Mahama is the worst President Ghana has ever seen – Deputy Majority Whip
20 mins -
Over 1 million students enrol in Free SHS -Education Minister
26 mins -
GWCL announces water supply interruption in Western Region
42 mins -
Kwami Ahiabenu: What is prompt engineering?
52 mins -
Elections 2024: Your continued silence is more than deafening…
1 hour -
Let’s live peacefully and shame our saboteurs – Savannah executives of NPP, NDC
5 hours -
Reconstruction of Agona-Nkwanta-Tarkwa road 80 per cent complete
5 hours -
Internet penetration: 10.7 million Ghanaians offline – LONDA Report
5 hours -
USC cancels grad ceremony as campus protests against Israel’s war in Gaza continue
5 hours -
Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction overturned in New York
5 hours