The world is still praying for positive news on Ghana national football team winger, Christian Atsu. The former Newcastle player is agonizingly missing following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6 and has so far, claimed thousands of lives according to reports.

The search for Atsu who plies his trade with Turkish top tier side Hatayspor is still ongoing even as the world continues to hope that, he and others who are unaccounted for, will be rescued alive.

There were conflicting reports that suggested that the former Everton man had been pulled from the rubble alive last week, but his club has since rubbished the news. No one understands how disturbing and pain the news touching on the whereabouts of the former Chelsea man more than his family and the Ghanaians.

I caught up with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) women’s hockey team that is currently holed in Nairobi for the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Champions tournament and one thing was clear, Atsu’s well-being was a concern to them just like all other warm-hearted Ghanaians.

GRA head coach Yiadom Osei Boakye said the best way to express their thoughts and solaces to the Atsu family is by retaining the title that is currently in their possession.

“We are here to make our families and country proud. We really want to retain the title for our sponsors have invested heavily in the team. Above all, we want to win it for the Atsu family. I will keep on reminding my girls to always put up prayers for him and his family,” said the veteran tactician shortly after their 4-1 over Kenyan side Lakers on Thursday.

Joining in sharing GRA’s sentiments was the Ghana Army ladies’ coach CPOI Taylor Patrick who regretted that the former Malaga flanker had not been traced days after the unfortunate struck some parts of the two countries.

Patrick who serves the Ghana Navy labeled the missing player as an one of the best ambassadors the West African country had littered in different parts of the world.

“The Ghanaian sporting fraternity is united in prayers for Atsu and his family. He has been a good ambassador for the country for years and the best we can is to win this tournament for him. It is our hope that he will be rescued soon,” he said.

Apart from the GRA and Army teams, Ghana has two more teams in the Mozzart Bet powered tournament that is scheduled to end on Sunday.

The other teams are the Exchequers and the Ghana Army that are placed in the men’s pools.