In memory of the late Christian Atsu, the Ghana Football Association is considering retiring the number 7 jersey from the Black Stars.
Following the horrific earthquake that struck the Turkish city of Hatay on February6,2023, Atsu passed away.
On February18,2023, the dead body of Atsu was discovered among the debris of his destroyed residence.
Linford Boadu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Football Association (RFA), revealed that the Ghana FA intended to retire the number 7 jersey in memory of Atsu in an interview with Koforidua-based Bryt FM monitored by Pak MediaGh.
“It’s a sad situation. I wasn’t expecting Atsu to be staying in that big apartment like that, I was expecting him to be staying in a single apartment but I think there wasn’t stability after joining the club in Turkey”
“It was difficult to believe anybody can survive after that 45 seconds earthquake but we were hoping to find Atsu alive until news broke he has been found dead. He served the nation wholeheartedly, and at the short ceremony in receiving the body of Atsu, the vice President, Dr Bawumia disclosed government will be involved in giving him a befitting burial. That is a big plus, to me, Atsu deserves a befitting burial looking at how he served the nation.
“The Executive council of the FA is thinking about of a lot of things; some thinks the number 7 jersey must be retired in honour of Atsu but there should be a meeting to decide.”
Until he passed away, Atsu had been buried under debris for more than 11 days, during which time the earthquake had claimed the lives of almost 45,000 people.
Only hours before the natural tragedy, the Ghanaian had scored his first goal for Hatayspor.
Atsu played 65 times for Ghana during the course of his career and netted nine goals. Two of his most well-known goals occurred against Egypt in a World Cup qualifying match in 2014, and against Guinea in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where he produced an incredibly spectacular goal.