Ivory Coast had no choice but to win AFCON title - Haller

Sebastien Haller of Cote dIvoire and Kouakou Kouame Christian of Cote dIvoire celebrates victory during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Final match between Nigeria and Cote dIvoire at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire on 11 February 2024 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Thando Mpembe

Monday Feb 12, 2024. 15:32

Ivory Coast had no choice but to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after their heavy loss against Equatorial Guinea according to Sebastian Haller.

The Borussia Dortmund striker was very influential as he scored the winner in a win over DR Congo in the semi-final on Wednesday before sealing the AFCON title with a strike in the final against Nigeria on Sunday.

Haller, who missed Ivory Coast’s group-stage matches due to an injury, feels that they were under pressure to win the tournament after losing 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea in a Group A clash.

“We dreamed of this moment so many times, we hoped to get to this point,” Haller, who beat testicular cancer last year, told the BBC. https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/68241658

“The joyous scenes we see now, what’s happening in the country, they deserve it too. I hope it does a lot of good for people. Given what has happened over the last few months.

“It’s great to be here in front of you. After the big defeat against Equatorial Guinea, we had no choice. We have come back from a long way,” the 29-year-old explained.

“There were words, moments, which were not easy for the players, staff, and everybody [but] which were necessary.”

Haller has now scored 10 goals in 26 matches for Ivory Coast.