Desiree Ellis, head coach of the South African Senior Women’s National Team, Banyana Banyana, has paid tribute to Ghana’s fallen hero, Christian Atsu.
Ellis’ condolences come after the West African winger’s lifeless body was flown to his home country after he perished following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on two weeks ago (Monday, 6 February).
The Ghanaian was on the books of Hatayspor in Turkey’s Super Lig. He has also played in the Premier League for Everton and Newcastle and was part of the Black Stars squad that played in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Final.
In 2014 he represented his country at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
A day before his passing (Sunday, 5 February), Atsu scored a 97th minute free kick in a 1-0 victory over Kasimpasa sparking wild celebrations – and that was to be his last act for the club.
Christian Atsu’s final moment as a footballer, scoring a free-kick in the last minute to win the game for Hatayspor, just hours before the earthquake struck.
Life is so short and unexpected, treasure every moment. RIP Christian Atsu 🙏🖤 pic.twitter.com/7xJT4v7C5I
— ToonArmy (@toonarmy_com) February 18, 2023
After a 12-day search, the 31-year-old remains were found under rubble on Saturday 18 February) – leaving the footballing world in a state of shock.
“Our hearts go out to the families (of the deceased) as well as to Ghana and Atsu’s family. That’s the worst thing that you want to hear after so long, but we pray for the families and pray that God give them strength. And, to Ghana, you’ve lost a soldier but know that he was loved by many,” said the Banyana Banyana coach to SAFA.net
Ellis was speaking after her squad’s final training session before facing Slovenia in the final match of the Turkish Women’s Cup.
The two nations go toe to toe on Tuesday, 21 February at 14h00 SA time.
Slovenia’s Women’s Team
Photo Credit: Courtesy Images
Slovenia defeated Ghana 1-0 in their previous match, but Ellis and her technical team are prepared for whatever comes their way.
“They’re very physical side but they’re also good on the ball, we saw that when they played against Zambia. You’ve got to move the ball a bit quicker, but they do give the ball away a lot. I think technically we are in a good shape, tactically as well we’re getting better with the training that we’re doing, so we are really look forward to the game,” added the three-time Africa Woman Coach of the Year.
“It will be a different challenge to the one we had against Uzbekistan, the physicality – how we cope with that, how we work around that – is going to be very important, how we get out of certain situations because of the physicality, is going to be key and the only way is if we move the ball around quicker and you know we worked a lot on that in the one day we had to prepare for that and hopefully it all comes together tomorrow.”
Noxolo in action for Banyana Banyana
Photo Credit: Courtesy Images
The South Africans defeated Uzbekistan 3-0 in the first match, with goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe and Noxolo Cesane, with an own goal sandwiched between the two strikes – and they will be hoping for a clear sweep when they face Slovenia.
Banyana Banyana will fly out of Turkey on Wednesday (22 February) and are expected to land in Johannesburg on Thursday (23 February).
This article written by Matlhomola Morake for centercircle.online and relayed by kick4442.com as official media partnerÂ
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