Africa Cup title beckons for Ivory Coast's Sébastien Haller after successful cancer treatment

Sébastien Haller could lead Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title one year after returning from cancer treatment

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast -- One year after returning from cancer treatment, Sébastien Haller could lead Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title.

Haller fired the host nation into Sunday’s final against three-time champion Nigeria with the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Congo in the semifinals.

“It’s kind of a great moment today to be here in front of you speaking about the final, about the Africa Cup in your own country,” Haller said Saturday. “I’m just enjoying it. I hope that tomorrow I will enjoy as well. But I think I will take a few months or a few years to really realize what’s happened in the last years.”

The game against Congo was Haller’s first start of the tournament, after two substitute appearances, while he worked his way back from an ankle injury that prevented his involvement in the group stage.

It’s not his first comeback, however, and certainly not his most important.