Sebastien Haller is Ivory Coast AFCON hero as cancer comeback story gets fairytale ending

The Dortmund striker capped an incredible personal journey by netting the winner against Nigeria.

Sebastien Haller completed a fairytale comeback as the cancer survivor fired the Ivory Coast to African Cup of Nations glory on home soil.

The former West Ham striker was hit with a hammer blow following his big money move from Ajax to Borussia Dortmund in July 2022 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. But he won his fight against the deadly disease to make a return to action after surgery and chemotherapy just over a year ago.

And he proved to be his nation's hero by scoring a late winner against Nigeria. The hosts had to come from behind as the Super Eagles threatened to wreck the party in Abidjan. Captain William Troost-Ekong headed them into a first half lead and the majority of fans inside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium feared the worst. But a second half comeback was completed in the most fitting way possible.

Midfielder Franck Kessie levelled things up just a couple of minutes past the hour mark. It looked like the final was heading for a nerve shredding extra half hour to try and avoid penalties. But Haller netted with just nine minutes left, sparking wild scenes in the stands and on the dugout, with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba leading the charge.

The victory is even more remarkable when you consider Ivory Coast head coach Emerse fae only took over the team in the round of 16 midway through the tournament. In fact, it was his first time in charge at first team level, having only previously coached Nice youth sides, Clermont reserves and the Ivorian U23s. But with Heller's help, he's secured national hero status but leading his nation to their third AFCON title.