The Africa Cup of Nations 2024 ended with a fairy tale for the host nation Ivory Coast, who lifted the trophy for the third time in their history. The hero of the night was none other than Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller, who scored the winning goal in the final against Nigeria with a spectacular flick. Haller’s story is one of resilience and courage, as he overcame a cancer diagnosis and a career setback to become a champion.
A dream come true for the Elephants
Ivory Coast had not won the Africa Cup of Nations since 2015, when they beat Ghana on penalties in Equatorial Guinea. Since then, they had failed to reach the semi-finals in the next two editions, and faced a tough challenge as the hosts of the 2024 tournament. They started poorly, losing their first two group games to Cameroon and Burkina Faso, and had to change their coach midway through the competition. Patrice Beaumelle was sacked and replaced by former captain Didier Drogba, who managed to inspire the team to a remarkable turnaround.
The Elephants won their last group game against Ethiopia, and then knocked out Senegal and Congo in the knockout stages, thanks to late goals from Haller and Maxwel Cornet. In the final, they faced Nigeria, who had won the trophy in 2013 and 2019, and boasted a talented squad led by Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho. The Super Eagles took the lead in the first half through Samuel Chukwueze, but Ivory Coast equalized in the second half with a header from Wilfried Zaha. The game seemed headed for extra time, until Haller produced a moment of magic in the 88th minute. He received a cross from Serge Aurier, and flicked the ball past the Nigerian goalkeeper with his heel, sending the home crowd into ecstasy. Ivory Coast held on to their lead, and celebrated their third continental title in front of their jubilant fans.
Haller’s personal triumph
For Haller, the final goal was the culmination of a remarkable journey, both on and off the pitch. The 29-year-old had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in the summer of 2022, and had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. He faced the possibility of ending his career as a professional footballer, but he fought back with determination and positivity. He returned to action for Borussia Dortmund in January 2023, and scored nine goals and provided five assists in the second half of the season. He helped the team finish second in the Bundesliga, and reach the final of the DFB-Pokal, where he missed a crucial penalty in the shootout against Bayern Munich.
Haller admitted that he fell into a depression after that setback, and struggled to find his form in the 2023-24 season. He only started one game for Dortmund, and was overshadowed by the arrival of Niclas Füllkrug from Werder Bremen. He was also left out of the France squad for the 2022 World Cup, where Les Bleus reached the semi-finals. He decided to switch his allegiance to Ivory Coast, the country of his parents, and was called up by Drogba for the Africa Cup of Nations. He quickly became a key player for the Elephants, scoring four goals in six games, including the decisive ones in the semi-final and the final. He dedicated his performance to his family, his teammates, and his country, and said that he had fulfilled a dream.
A new chapter for Ivory Coast and Haller
The Africa Cup of Nations victory was a historic moment for Ivory Coast, who had suffered from political and social unrest in the past decade. The tournament was seen as an opportunity to showcase the nation’s progress and unity, and the players delivered on the pitch. Drogba, who had captained the team to their first title in 1992, said that he was proud of his players, and that they had given hope and joy to the people. He also praised Haller, who he called a “warrior” and a “leader”. He said that Haller had shown incredible strength and character, and that he deserved all the accolades.
Haller, who was named the player of the tournament, said that he was grateful for the chance to play for Ivory Coast, and that he felt a strong connection with the country and the culture. He said that he hoped to continue his form for Dortmund, and that he was looking forward to the next challenges. He said that he had learned a lot from his experience, and that he wanted to use it as a motivation and an inspiration. He said that he had proven to himself and to the world that nothing was impossible, and that he was ready for a new chapter in his life.
