Africa Cup “Haller-lujah”: BVB professional celebrated as final hero
Sébastien Haller impressed in the crucial moments at the Africa Cup. photo
© Sunday Alamba/AP
After 1992 and 2015, hosts Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup again. One main role belongs to the winning goalscorer Sébastien Haller, the other to the assistant coach. It is an unusual triumph for both of them.
Haller’s celebrated winning goal in the 81st minute gave his national team the crowning conclusion of the home tournament and the third continental title after 1992 and 2015. “Haller-lujah!”, commented England’s football legend Gary Lineker on X (formerly Twitter) on the next chapter of the miraculous sporting comebacks.
In the rush of victory, President Ouattara declared the Monday after the triumph a public holiday. “It’s an indescribable happiness,” said the beaming 82-year-old to the broadcaster RTI. With the exception of health centers and emergency services, all public services remained closed – as did several private businesses. Thousands of fans were already on the streets that night, waving flags, singing and dancing with joy – accompanied by trumpets, vuvuzela sounds and car horns.
BVB reservist Haller impressed at the Africa Cup
Many observers recalled the special story of Haller, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the summer of 2022 shortly after his move from Ajax Amsterdam to BVB. He was back on the pitch just a few months after treatment. With nine goals and five assists, he contributed to Dortmund’s brilliant comeback in the second half of last season.
But when the championship seemed almost perfect, the striker’s nerves failed him. His missed penalty on matchday 34 against Mainz (2-2) contributed to the missed title – and at the same time initiated Haller’s sporting decline in Dortmund. So far this season he has been in the starting eleven in just four Bundesliga games, failing to score a goal in a total of eleven appearances.
The lost championship title caused him more pain than the cancer diagnosis, Haller told “Sport Bild” in the fall. “Unsuccessful situations or missed opportunities wear on you. You think about what you could have done better. But I also learned, especially during my illness, not to let negative things get to me so much.”
BVB coach Edin Terzic’s wish that Haller would find his rhythm again and gain new courage at the tournament in Africa came true. Despite his reserve role in Dortmund, the 29-year-old impressed in the crucial moments at the Africa Cup. He was only allowed to start in the semi-final against the Democratic Republic of Congo (1-0) and in the final, and he scored the decisive goal twice.
Third place in the group, separation of coaches and then the title
His story fits in with the crazy tournament run of the hosts, who were almost eliminated after a disastrous 4-0 defeat in the preliminary round against Equatorial Guinea. As third in the group, the Ivorians sneaked into the knockout phase – but without their coach Jean-Louis Gasset, from whom they parted ways with much fanfare.
Assistant Emerse Faé took over – especially because preferred candidate and former national coach Hervé Renard was not available quickly. “I would have loved it, but fate decided otherwise,” said Renard, who now coaches the French footballers, in an interview with the TV channel Canal Plus.
So fate drove Faé forward, who stated after the deserved final win against Nigeria: “It was an extraordinary tournament and more than a fairy tale.” For him, for the Ivory Coast – and especially for Haller.
In addition to the BVB professional, Odilon Kossounou also started the “Elefants” party marathon as the second Bundesliga professional from the starting eleven. The Leverkusen defender also caused great joy in his current adopted hometown. “We were all rooting for Odi and are very proud of him. He and his team defied all odds and difficulties and fully deserved to win this title,” commented Bayer sports director Simon Rolfes.
dpa
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