Cote D’Ivoire are hosting the AFCON 2023 tournament … which takes place in 2024, but is officially called AFCON 2023, except by its sponsors who are calling it Total Energies African Cup of Nations 2024 … got it?!
Anyway, the tournament’s hosts have been crying out for a talismanic figure, ever since the retirement of the great, Didier Drogba.
It may seem like times have moved significantly on since then, but the reality is the nation hasn’t had World Cup football since 2014, when Drogba was still around.
Although Cote D’Ivoire did win the AFCON tournament the following year in 2015, the talismanic figure of Drogba was still casting such an illuminating shadow, that he was still making a splash on the headlines, in the aftermath of his home nation’s victory.
Now, it appears a new figure to inspire awe could be in the offing: step up, Sébastien Haller. The ex-West Ham and current-Dortmund striker, who has made a miraculous recovery from cancer, to return to the football pitch in 2023.
In sporting terms, his goalscoring has been the antonym of prolific this season for Dortmund, with no goals to show from his nine appearances. For Cote D’Ivoire, though, he is the designated penalty taker. He kickstarted the nine goal frenzy against Seychelles last month, through his composure from the spot.
So here goes the logic for Haller’s credentials as a talisman; he has the required potential to create and sustain hope throughout the tournament. A remarkable story of overcoming the odds to return to football following a successful cancer remission, coupled with leadership qualities on the pitch through diligent spot-taking duties (he has scored 26/28 penalties in his career, to date.)
The AFCON 2015 win saw viral scenes of Drogba’s celebrations, as he watched on in retirement. Haller will be hoping he gets to enjoy glory with his generation, on the pitch, and perhaps from a winning penalty spot!
Comments