When Sebastien Haller left Borussia Dortmund’s pre-season training camp in July 2022 after a tumour was discovered in his testicle, it was feared that his football career may well be over.
But after two surgeries and various rounds of chemotherapy, Haller extraordinarily overcame his testicular cancer, and returned to full training in January 2023.
His first goal since his return happened to be the strangest of coincidences, on none other, than World Cancer Day itself.
The former West Ham forward was originally a doubt for the tournament, due to damage to his ankle in December resulting in his absence for the Elephant’s first three games.
In his absence, the Ivorians suffered their heaviest ever home and Nations Cup finals defeat, losing 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea.
Despite progressing to the knockout stage of the competition, Ivory Coast shockingly sacked coach Jean-Louise Gasset — appointing Emerse Fae as his replacement.
Haller made a super-sub impact in the Elephant’s last-16 clash against defending champions Senegal, when his promising through ball found Nicolas Pepe, who won a penalty to take them into extra-time and later penalties. On penalties, Haller converted his penalty and his side progressed 5-4 to knock out the holders.
His first start in the competition produced the winning goal against DR Congo in the semi-final, sending his side into the final.
On the eve of what was arguably the most important game of his career, Haller opened up on his journey battling cancer, and returning to the national team.
“The last 18 months have been challenging for me and my family. Given what has happened over the last few months, it’s great to be here in front of you.”
“I now take everything step-by-step and try to enjoy every moment. I don’t want to have any regrets. I think it might take months or years to take it all in, what has happened over the last few years.”
Fast forward to his excellently flicked finish, delivered into the box by Simon Adingra in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria, there was an outpour of emotions at full-time from the Ivory Coast international, when his torturous two-year journey to the dream of claiming his country’s 3rd AFCON title became an overwhelming reality.
During a post-match interview, Haller, 29, broke down in tears in what was relief, jubilation, and ecstasy: “We dreamed of this moment so many times. We hoped to get to this point and once again the match wasn’t an easy one. The joyous scenes we see now, what’s happening in the country, they deserve it too. I really hope it does a lot of people good.”
Haller’s journey over the last 18 months have been a powerful, inspiring and heart-warming story to the world of football that leaves the Ivory Coast forward proudly in the Elephant’s history books.
