Muhammad Saad Ismail
In the world of football, we’ve witnessed numerous miraculous events—like the 2003 Porto UEFA Champions League campaign or Karim Benzema’s remarkable journey through the UEFA Champions League.
Imagine this: back in 2022, if someone had told me that Ivory Coast would be crowned champions of Africa and that Sébastien Haller would play a vital role in AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) 2024, I would have dismissed it as a good joke. After all, Ivory Coast faced formidable opponents like Senegal, Egypt, and the miraculous Morocco. Not to mention Nigeria and Cameroon, both strong contenders.
Life took an unexpected turn for Sébastien Haller, battling cancer at the time, was sidelined from the football field. It seemed his comeback story might never find a satisfying ending.
Then, as the years changed, a beacon of hope emerged for Ivory Coast. News broke that Haller had triumphed over cancer and would soon return to the pitch. In June 2023, he made his comeback with Borussia Dortmund (a German club), delivering a stunning season that nearly secured the German title. Yet, fate played a cruel hand—on the final day, despite having the highest scoring average among star strikers, Haller missed several crucial chances.
The story didn’t end there. The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicked off in January, right in Haller’s home country, Ivory Coast. During the group stages, he struggled to find the net. However, when the knockout stages began, Haller regained his form. In the semifinal, he scored a crucial goal, propelling his team to the final against Nigeria.
The final match of African Nations Cup was intense. Ivory Coast trailed 1-0 until the 62nd minute. Then, their captain, Frank Kessié, equalized. As the clock ticked, it seemed no one would break the deadlock. In the 81st minute, a stunning cross found its mark—Sebastian Haller converted it into a goal, securing the African championship for Ivory Coast in front of their home fans.
Haller’s journey—from a hospital bed to the throne of Africa—is nothing short of inspiring. His comeback serves as a testament to resilience, determination, and the indomitable spirit of football.
