Overview:
Known by fans as Chouchou pèp la (the country’s sweetheart), Duckens Nazon silenced critics with a hat-trick in a crucial 3-3 draw away against Costa Rica in San José, helping to keep Haiti’s World Cup hopes alive. After underperforming in recent games, especially during this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, many said he was too old to keep playing for the national team. But Nazon, 31, regained the love of his fans.
Several fans and sports analysts had written off Duckens Nazon, saying they never wanted to see him wear Haiti’s jersey again. At 31, the forward no longer has the pace and agility that once made him a feared attacker. Many thought his time had come to retire.
But, Nazon kole nan gòj yo— Nazon is stuck down their throats, as some Haitians would say.
The 31-year-old silenced his critics and doubters on Sept. 9, scoring a dramatic hat-trick that rescued Haiti in a 3-3 draw against Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier at San José’s National Stadium. The result revived Les Grenadiers’ hopes in Group C and restored some faith in their beloved chouchou pèp la — “the people’s sweetheart,” as many fans called him.
This was a heroic comeback led by grit, not speed
Subbing before halftime (40’) with Haiti trailing 2-0 after just 35 minutes, with Costa Rica seemingly on cruise control. Nazon brought the spark the team desperately needed in attack. He may not dazzle with the same speed anymore, but his relentless determination — fighting for every ball as if his life depended on it — made the difference.
Nazon helped the Grenadiers turn the game around in the second half when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 55th minute after a VAR review. Haiti’s all-time leading scorer among active players stepped up to take the shot and was initially stopped by former Real Madrid and legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas. However, Nazon was quick to pounce on the rebound and scored (2-1).
Just three minutes later (58’), the Haitian star striker got his second of the night with a stunning equalizing bicycle kick in between a pair of defenders. In the 86th minute, he completed his hat-trick with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, putting Haiti ahead (2-3) before a late defensive lapse let Costa Rica equalize for the 3-3 draw.
Fans, some of whom had long criticized him, flooded his Instagram with apologies and praise. “You shut my mouth,” one user admitted. Another wrote: “All Haitians love you today. I hope they always see how important you are to the national team.”
Translation: Despite all the criticism from people who don’t know anything about football about Nazon, I always saw the fighter in him. He always does his very best when he’s defending the red and blue. Once again, we showed that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s keep defending the Haitian people with soccer. We are Grenadiers.
Translation: All the Haitians love you today. I hope they always see how important you are to the national team.
Translation: Good stuff, I’m one of the people who used to talk badly about you. You shut my mouth. That’s how superstars respond.
Concentration lapses cost Haiti a comeback win and the chance to top the group ahead of the next two matches in October.
While Nazon shone, Haiti’s defensive weaknesses remained evident. A careless midfield turnover in the opening minute gifted Costa Rica an early goal, and in stoppage time, defender Juan Pablo Vargas was left unmarked on a free kick to score the equalizer after Haiti took the lead five minutes earlier.
Now, after two games, Haiti sits third in Group C with two points. Only the group winner advances directly to the World Cup. Les Grenadiers will travel to face Nicaragua on Oct. 8, a must-win game to continue maintaining their hopes.
As Haiti’s campaign continues in the final round with four more matches to play, Nazon’s warrior spirit may prove just as essential as speed and skill. His hat-trick in San José showed why he has long been seen as the emotional heartbeat of the national team. Nazon is Haiti’s all-time top scorer, tallying 43 goals in 70 appearances.
Not just Nazon, Duverger also proved doubters wrong
On the flip side, a player Haitian fans expected to underperform shone: goalkeeper Josué Duverger. He started the match because first-choice goalkeeper Johny Placide and backup shot-stopper were unavailable.
During a World Cup qualifier against Canada in June 2021, Duverger mishit the ball and then kicked it into his own net. This mistake was a major reason why Haiti lost that game to Canada 3-0 and was eventually knocked out of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Because of that part experience, Haitian fans had no faith in Duverger before the match. However, the 25-year-old made two crucial saves, and his passes were inch-perfect all night. He redeemed himself from past mistakes, shaking off the ghost of his infamous 2021 own goal against Canada.
Like this:
Loading…
