Sebastien Haller welcomes pressure to deliver the AFCON title on home soil

Driving on almost every second or third street in this economic hub of CIV, posters of Haller in an Elephants jersey are seen on huge billboards marketing different brands and the tournament itself. 

READ: The different roles of Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles' nest 

After scoring the only goal during the win over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the semifinals, Haller says he’s feeling the pressure of delivering the third AFCON title but it’s got to be shared.

''Of course, I feel the pressure because I am a striker - putting my country forward in every game is my responsibility but this pressure needs to be taken by everyone,'' said Haller.

The French-born striker has also had to deal with a lot off the field. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer shortly after leaving Ajax Amsterdam for Borussia Dortmund in July 2022. He underwent two surgeries and chemotherapy after that, before returning to action in January 2023. 

Haller is grateful to be in this position, with all that has happened in his life in the past two years.

''It's been quite challenging for myself, the family and for everyone in the past year and a half. I've been feeling that if you want to do something it will happen, so I take everything step by step and I just try to enjoy the moment. It is a great moment for me to be speaking to you about the final,'' added Haller.

 The former West Ham United striker also missed out in the group stages phase of this tournament when his country was suffering, due to an ankle injury.

The Elephants lost 1-0 to the Super Eagles and were hammered 4-0 by Group A winners Equatorial Guinea. But he’s returned just at the right time and scoring the most important goals and is welcoming the expectations.

 ''It is good pressure to play a final in your own country, with a lot of people giving you support - it gives one strength to perform well. It's a beautiful thing and I hope this good pressure will bring my country to the top,'' concluded Haller.

  As the Super Eagles will be attempting to wipe off the tears from their big brothers who only left Abidjan with a silver medal in 1984 when they lost the AFCON final to Cameroon in the final, tonight they will also have to contend with thousands of orange seats at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Obimpe.

This is the crowd that Haller is banking on to sway things in their favour.

 The Ivorians won the AFCON title in 1992 in Dakar Senegal and in Bata in Equatorial Guinea in 2015.