Striker Sebastian Haller, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer two years ago, gave Ivory Coast the title in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final of the 2023 African Football Confederation (CAF) Cup of Nations at the Alasan Watara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Wednesday. Ivory Coast won its third career Cup of Nations trophy.

The match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast, which met for the first time in history in the final, was fierce. Nigeria took the lead with William Truist-Ekong’s first goal in the 38th minute. Ivory Coast also did not back down. Ivory Coast responded with Frank Kessier’s equalizer in the 17th minute of the second half.

It was Haller who played as Ivory Coast’s troubleshooter in the 1-1 situation. Haller scored a come-from-behind goal by finishing Simon Adingra’s cross with a sensational shot at the 36th minute of the second half. Haller scored the final goal. Ivory Coast beat Nigeria to lift the trophy.

Haller is a player with an eventful story. He was one of the top strikers in the German Bundesliga when he was at Einlacht Frankfurt. Haller scored 15 league goals in the 2018/19 season, leading Frankfurt’s rise along with Luka Jovic and Ante Levych.

Haller then moved to West Ham United, but failed to make it to the English stage. After failing in the EPL, he made a comeback with Eredivisie Ajax in the Netherlands. He had 11 goals in 19 games in the second half of the 2020/21 season and 21 goals in 31 games in the 2021/22 season. Haller joined Dortmund in July 2022 based on his performance with Ajax.

Unfortunately, Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer as soon as he moved to Dortmund. A serious illness came to Haller, but he returned to the ground in February 2023 after undergoing two surgeries and chemotherapy. Haller, who has become a symbol of “human victory,” impressed Ivory Coast by presenting the Cup of Nations as the winning goal. 토토사이트