Afcon 2023: Sebastien Haller returns from cancer with cap, Ivory Coast win in final

Moments after scoring the goal that secured Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations victory, Sebastien Haller had to interrupt a television interview as he broke down in tears.

He had put on a brave face for a long time, but this was the moment when the two-year arduous journey leading up to the Elephants' eventful victory really hit home and emotions understandably got the better of him.

That's because it was just over a year ago that when the striker returned to football six months after overcoming testicular cancer, he won his biggest contest yet.

And now he was pitchside at Abidjan's Alassane Ouattara Stadium, witnessing the wild celebrations after the Elephants won their third Nations Cup title with a 2-1 win over Nigeria. .

“We've dreamed of this moment many times,” Haller said.

“We had hoped to get this far, but once again the game was not easy. “The joyful scenes we are seeing now, what is happening in this country, they are no surprise. I sincerely hope that this will have a positive impact on many people.”

The winning goal, with a brilliant flick finish from Simon Adinla's cross, came just four days after Haller proved to be the winner in the semi-final victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Former Ivory Coast international Kolo Toure, who previously played for Arsenal and Manchester City, told BBC Three: “I'm really happy for Haller.''

“He's had a tough time, but he's made an incredible contribution to the team. He's a humble guy and works hard for the team. He just wants to help his teammates. This is the person I’m thinking of.”

“I'm so happy he scored that goal. It's great for him and for the country.”

But in many ways, it was also surprising that he was on the pitch, as he noted in the press conference on the eve of the final.

“The last 18 months have been difficult for me and my family,” the 29-year-old said on Saturday.

“It's great to be here in front of you all, considering what's happened over the last few months.”

Considering the fact that the team was on the brink of being eliminated in the group stage, but reached the finals with a best third place, it seems unlikely that the Ivorians will talk about making it to the finals. But it was even there. It should be Haller.

The goal came eight months after signing for the German club, but the outpouring of emotion was all about his recovery from testicular cancer, which he was diagnosed with in July 2022, just two weeks after joining Dortmund. Ta.

“Of course we understand that something really serious is going on and that a lot of things can change,” Haller told BBC Sport last year.

“But the urologist helped me not to be scared. He said I would heal well. I took everything he said for granted.”

After two surgeries and various chemotherapy treatments, Haller returned to full training in early January 2023, made his debut later that month, and then, in one strange coincidence, played against Freiburg on World Cancer Day. I scored a goal.

Fast forward to January this year, and the injury once again, albeit a much milder one, has ruled the former West Ham and Eintracht Frankfurt forward out of the Ivory Coast squad that will host the postponed 2023 Nations Cup. It was getting worse.

After injuring his ankle on December 19, Haller was not healthy enough to be in the squad for the Elephants' first three games.

However, given that it was a disastrous group stage where they lost twice, including a 4-0 home defeat to Equatorial Guinea and their heaviest ever loss in the Nations Cup final, the conquerors' path to heroic return was in doubt. I cut it open.

Ivory Coast sacked coach Jean-Louis Gasset, but subsequently advanced to the final tournament as the best third-place team.

“After the big loss against Equatorial Guinea, we had no choice,” Haller said.

“We have come back from a long journey. There were words and moments that were not easy for the players, the staff and everyone.” [but] It was necessary. ”

And Haller's return became all the more important as the team scored just two goals in the group stage.

After all, the man became the second player after Cristiano Ronaldo to score in all six Champions League group matches in the 2021/22 season for Dutch side Ajax, and then overtook the Portuguese to score in the Champions League. He became the fastest player to reach 10 goals. history.

In the hosts' epic last-16 clash with defending champions Senegal, Haller was introduced in the second half of normal time, where his physical presence, hold-up skills and direct play proved crucial. did.

It was a perfectly weighted, precise through ball that caught Nicolas Pepe. Pepe turned it over nicely and the Ivorian scored from the spot, sending the game into extra time.

In the equally thrilling quarter-final against Mali, Haller was again a substitute, but was brought on at half-time as caretaker manager Emers Fé took a gamble by reducing his squad to 10 men.

The former France youth international almost decided the game in extra time when he headed Wilfried Singo's perfect cross onto the bar, but he scored a dramatic winning goal in the 122nd minute to seal the tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Oumar Diakité advanced to the semi-finals.

Haller's international performance before his injury (3 goals in 3 games) was much better than his performance with Dortmund this season, but he has yet to score in 11 league games (9 goals in 19 games last season). Despite showing a strong rebound).

Haller volleyed a deep cross from Max Allan Gradel into the ground, past DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi and with a ping-pong-style finish just inches below the bar, ending a tense stalemate. It gave Elephants fans a “Hala Luja'' moment during the game. In Abidjan it finally broke.

Once again there will be noisy celebrations and incredible roars – this time not only inside the stadium, where former Ivorian legend Didier Drogba was in attendance, but throughout the country.

“The public is definitely behind us at every moment. When the public is there and making noise and getting behind us, that makes a difference,” Haller said.

Born in Paris to a French father and an Ivorian mother, Haller played at every youth level for the French national team from Under-16s to Under-21s, but announced his international future as a senior in 2020. He vowed to play there.

And how happy she and the country's 30 million people are that he once again proved to be a key figure in Sunday's final against Nigeria.

The Elephants fell behind for the third time in their fourth knockout game, but once again showed resilience and bounced back.

Franck Kessie equalized shortly after the end and Haller showed great touch to volley home Simon Adingra's speedy cross into the far corner of Nigeria's goal.

Again he was surrounded by his teammates, but this time he disappeared into an orange cloud, and Haller, despite his height, disappeared from view.

“Right now I'm trying to take everything one step at a time and enjoy every moment. I don't want to have any regrets,” he said on Saturday.

“I think it may take months or years to understand everything that has happened over the past few years.”

Thankfully, as I look back on the dark side of my recent life, where so much was hanging in the balance just over a year and a half ago, I am reminded of what may perhaps prove to be the case on the face of this gentle giant. It might make you smile. It will be his fondest football memory.