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Body of late Ghana international, Christian Atsu, returned home amid tears

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The body of late Ghana international footballer, Christian Atsu, who died in an earthquake that hit Turkey two weeks ago, has been returned to his native country.

Atsu’s remains were accompanied from Turkey by his family and Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey, Francisca Ashietey-Odunton on Sunday, according to Ghana’s foreign ministry.

The plane landed at about 19:25 (GMT) in Accra where it was met by relatives, government officials and representatives of the Ghana Football Association, while the coffin was later transported to a military hospital morgue by the Ghanaian Armed Forces.

The body of the former Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle player who piled his trade with Hatayspor was found on Saturday under a rubble in his home in Antakya in southern Turkey.

The 31-year-old winger played 65 times for Ghana’s national team and helped his side reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final.

Speaking at the Kotoka airport in the capital Accra while receiving the body of Atsu, Ghana’s Vice-President, Mahamudu Bawumia said the country has been thrown into mourning.

“We hoped against hope, every day that passed, we prayed and prayed. But alas, when he was found, he was no more.

“The whole of Ghana, and indeed Africa, is now in mourning,” Bawumia said.

The VP added the late Atsu was much loved and would be sorely missed.

“It is a painful loss, a very painful one,” he added, promising that the deceased would be given a befitting burial worthy of a national icon.

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Paris Olympics: Nigeria’s D’Tigress in ‘group of death’, to battle Australia, France, Canada

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Nigeria’s women national basketball team, D’Tigress, have been drawn in what many term the group of death after they were paired alongside Australia, France and Canada for this year’s Olympic Games coming up in Paris, France, in July.

The coach Rena Wakama tutored team will take on Australia in their opening Group B game at the competition on Monday, July 29, according to the fixture schedule released on Thursday by the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA).

The African champions will face the host France on August 1 before facing Canada on August 4.

D’Tigress are heading for their third appearance at the Olympic Games after making its debut at the games in Athens 2004, before a second appearance at Tokyo 2020.

In their two previous outings at the games D’Tigress failed to go beyond the group stages after losing all group matches but there are hopes that the current team could spring surprises owing to the pool of talents in the team and the cohesion they have managed to build.

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Tragedy as coach killed, players injured in Sierra Leone club bus crash

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One of the coaches of Sierra Leonean club, Port Authority FC, Lamine Bangoura, a former international, has been confirmed killed while several players sustained different degrees of injuries after the team bus was involved in an accident on Tuesday night when going for a football game.

According to a statement from the club management, the players and officials of the top flight clubside are still reeling from the effect of the accident.

A local media which reported on the devastating accident on Wednesday said:

“The Sierra Leonean football is in mourning. On Tuesday evening, the Port Authority FC bus was involved in an accident. Several first team players are injured and in critical condition after this tragedy.

“The worst was the death of the Port Authority FC coach, Lamine Bangoura, who did not survive after receiving a serious blow during the accident.

“The team was en route to Kenema for a crucial match against Kahunla Rangers when tragedy struck, leaving several members in critical condition.

“The accident, which occurred at Konta Line, has claimed the life of the former Sierra Leone international and team coach, Lamine Bangura.

“Lamine Bangura was a highly revered figure in Sierra Leonean football and leaves behind a legacy that transcends the sport.

“Despite the best efforts of medical personnel at Masiaka Hospital, Bangura succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a void in Sierra Leonean football.”

The Sierra Leone Premier League Board, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed deep regret and sent condolences to the team.

“While details of the incident are still emerging, it has been confirmed that there were injuries sustained by individuals involved in the accident.

“Our immediate priority is the well-being and recovery of those affected by this unfortunate event,” the statement said.

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