No Nigerian footballer affected by Turkey earthquake – NFF; Ghanaian star, Christian Atsu, under rubbles

Though thousands have been confirmed dead in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey, President of the Nigeria Football Federation – NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, has confirmed that no Nigerian footballer was affected by the incident.

The NFF helmsman announced this on the Federation’s verified Instagram page to calm frayed nerves about the safety of Nigerian players like Ahmed Musa, Henry Onyekuru and others playing in different Clubs in the country.

Gusau said that the NFF was “sad about the unfortunate earthquake in Kahramanmaras city of Turkey.”

He noted that he made contact with Nigerian players based in Turkey and that they have all confirmed they are fine.

“We pray for the souls of the departed to rest in peace even as we commiserate with the people of Turkey at this time,” the message noted.

Unfortunately, however, former Chelsea and Newcastle winger Christian Atsu is reportedly stuck under the rubbles of a destroyed building following the natural disaster in Turkey.

According to multiple sources in Turkey, a search and rescue operation is underway for the Atsu, the Ghanaian international, who joined Turkish Super Lig club Hatayspor last summer.

The 31-year-old 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.

Atsu managed five appearances at Everton and impressed on loan at Newcastle to make a permanent move to the Magpies.

In total he made 107 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals, before joining Saudi side Al-Raed in 2021.

Newcastle have shared a post on social media with a photo of Atsu when he was at the club with a message that they were ‘praying for some good news’.

Atsu was in action on Sunday for Hatayspor, scoring a goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time in a 1-0 victory over Kasimpasa.