After an amazing 18-month journey back to the top, Sebastien Haller, a cancer survivor, is a winner of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Ivory Coast.
Haller proved the hero, scoring the decisive goal as the Elephants completed a sensational comeback. Haller who was diagnosed with cancer just after his big move from Ajax. In 2022 spearheaded a 2-1 comeback for his country against Nigeria to win the AFCON 2023 which was hosted in Ivory Coast.
“We dreamed of this moment so many times, we hoped to get to this point,” the Borussia Dortmund striker told the BBC.
“The joyous scenes we see now, what’s happening in the country, they deserve it too. I hope it does a lot of good for people. Given what has happened over the last few months, it’s great to be here in front of you.
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“After the big defeat against Equatorial Guinea, we had no choice. We have come back from a long way. There were words, moments, which were not easy for the players, staff, and everybody [but] which were necessary,” he concluded.
Ivory Coast produced a fairytale ending to the most remarkable run at the Africa Cup of Nations for Ivory Coast. From entrusting hopes in Emerse Fae after the sacking of coach Jean-Louis Gasset to depending on Haller strike to win an AFCON that seemed to have evaded them 18 days ago.
From the toughest battles to the sweetest victories, Haller’s story is one for the ages. 🌟🥇#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023Final | @HallerSeb | @FIFCI_tweet pic.twitter.com/nQOheGbypp
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 12, 2024
The Borussia Dortmund forward completed an incredible storyline after recovering from testicular cancer to secure his country’s third AFCON trophy. Haller underwent numerous rounds of chemotherapy and two operations.
In January 2023, he returned and scored on World Cancer Day against Freiburg to make his debut later that month. A less severe injury that Haller sustained in January of this year kept him out of action in the early stages of the AFCON 2023. Although the team struggled in the group stage, Haller came back stronger than ever to empower their frontline in the knockout stages. Considering that the team only scored twice in the group stage, his effect is palpable.
Haller. Proper inspiration. Motivational speakers gold https://t.co/F89nNATHjJ
— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) February 12, 2024
To the Dortmund striker, this is a fairytale ending and he will certainly remember this historic run for years to come.