The former head coach of the Blackstars has stated that Christian Atsu Twasam was a very disciplined player and spotlighted positions at the Ghana Senior National team.
Speaking to Wajony on the Hot global sports aired on Hot 93.9 FM, the first black African coach to qualify Ghana for the World Cup revealed that the late Ghanaian player overplayed his role assigned to him on the field.
” On the pitch, he plays very well, sometimes he even plays more than the role assigned to him” Kwesi Appiah stated.
Atsu’s debut in the senior national team was graced by Kwesi Appiah in 2013 after the coach revealed that his brother-in-law introduced the player to him that was when he made a follow-up.
“Personally if after a conversation and you suggest a player to me, I don’t forget about it. I follow up. I have data software and then key in the name of the player and look at the last five games of the player. So if the player is as good as you say, I will consider giving that player a call-up.
For Atsu, it was my brother-in-law who said, there is a player, I have seen him play and he is doing very well. So I checked and I gave him that opportunity.
I think that’s what other coaches don’t do. They don’t give people the chance to prove themselves “ Coach Kwesi Appiah stated on CITI TV.
Christian Atsu Twasam made his Black Stars debut in Ghana’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
After the game, the 28-year-old Newcastle player was described by BBC as an “excellent prospect” and was tipped by many to reach the apex of his career and subsequently help the Black Stars lift yet another African Cup of Nations trophy.
On 6 February 2023, Atsu went missing in the immediate aftermath of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake; he was feared to be among those trapped under the rubble of Hatayspor’s headquarters in Antakya following the quake.
The following day, club vice-president Mustafa Özat said Atsu had been rescued and was recovering in hospital, while on 8 February manager, Volkan Demirel said that Atsu and sporting director Taner Savut were still missing.
On 14 February, Atsu’s agent confirmed two pairs of his shoes were found, but that Atsu himself was still missing.
On 18 February, confirmation was received by his agent that his body was recovered from the rubble of the building he was residing in. News outlets reported his death at approximately 6 a.m. GMT.
Coach Kwesi Appiah expressed his sympathy for the loss of Christian Atsu Twasam while offering his condolences to his family and loved ones on Hot Global Sports.
Watch an excerpt of the video below:
