Pray for Atsu – Mahama Pleads with Ghanaians

Former President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to pray for former Black Stars international Christian Atsu who is reportedly trapped under rubble of a destroyed building following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey.

“Let’s continue to pray for our brother Christian Atsu and his club director.

The city of Hayat is in the region affected by the earthquake. Let’s continue to pray that God spares their lives,” Mr Mahama posted on Facebook shortly after news of Atsu’s disappearance was made public.

More than 1,600 people have been killed and thousands more injured after the catastrophic earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria overnight.

Multiple reports from Turkey say a search and rescue operation is underway for Atsu who plays dor Turkish Super Lig club Hatayspor.

Two of his team-mates as well as members of the technical staff have been rescued but Atsu is still missing.

Atsu joined Chelsea in 2013 but never played a competitive minute for the club as he was sent out on loan for a number of seasons including to Everton and Newcastle.

Since his debut in 2012, Atsu has played over 30 matches for Ghana’s senior national team, Black Stars. He represented Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He helped the team finish as runners-up at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in which he also won Player of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament.