Presided over by the Head of State Nana Akufo-Addo, the ceremony took place in the presence of the family of the deceased but also former teammates, who wore a t-shirt with his image, and many fans, who marched in front of the coffin draped in the colors of Ghana and installed under a white tent.
Several speakers followed, including the player's widow, Marie-Claire Rupio, who could not hold back her tears.
"You didn't go alone, a part of me accompanied you. Your love continues to guide me. (...) You seemed immortal. Your smile, your love, I see you in the smile of our children," she said.
Christian Atsu died at the age of 31 in the powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6 and killed more than 50,000 people. He played since last September in the club of Hatay (Turkish first division), based in Antakya (south), close to the epicenter.
© Nipah Dennis / AFP
After a two-week search, his body was found on February 18 in the rubble of the building where he lived.
During his career, the Ghanaian international (65 caps), also known in his country for his philanthropic activities, has played in England, Chelsea and Newcastle, or FC Porto.
It will enter Ada, its hometown, in southeastern Ghana.
© 2023 AFP