Christian Atsu: A Tribute To An African Hero
Richmond Setrana
Posted On February 21, 2023
The light of your kindness shone so brightly,
Illuminating all that was right,
In a world that often lost its way,
Your love and grace led the way.Your gentle spirit touched so many lives,
Bringing hope and comfort through troubled times,
Your selflessness and generosity,
Were a testament to your humanity.Though you may be gone from this earthly plane,
Your legacy and memory will remain,
A beacon of hope for those who remain,
A shining example of love’s refrain.For even though you are no longer here,
Your spirit lives on in those you held dear,
And in the hearts of those you inspired,
Your goodness and love will never expire.Rest in peace, dear friend, and know that you are missed,
But your spirit and memory will forever persist,
A beautiful reminder of all that is good,
And a legacy of love that will forever be understood.
Christian Atsu Twasam (10 January 1992 – 18 February 2023) was a Ghanaian professional footballer who primarily played as a winger, although he was also deployed as an attacking midfielder or left back.
Atsu was born in Ada Foah, in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. During his schooling, he attended the Feyenoord Football Academy, which was previously located in Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region but is now known as the West African Football Academy and situated in Sogakope, Volta Region. Afterwards, he transferred to join Cheetah FC, a team located in Kasoa, Ghana.
Atsu started his professional career with Porto and spent a year on loan at Rio Ave. Chelsea acquired him for £3.5 million in 2013, and after that, the club loaned him to Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, AFC Bournemouth, and Málaga. He signed a permanent switch to Newcastle United in May 2017 after spending the 2016–17 campaign there on loan. He also played for Al Raed in Saudi Arabia and Hatayspor in Turkey.
From 2012 to 2019, Atsu played 65 times for Ghana as a full international, including four appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Atsu won Player of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also contributed to the team’s second placement.
He was “a true Christian in every sense of the word”, very involved in charitable work, serving as an ambassador for Arms Around the Child, which helps underprivileged children. He paid millions of cedis in bail to free many Ghanaians imprisoned for minor offences but lacked the funds to post bail. Not once, but lots of times.
He was the father of many people not only in Ghana but Africa. He accepted the duty of providing food and paying the tuition for many individuals on the continent.
Atsu was married to author Marie-Claire Rupio with whom he had two sons and a daughter.
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