Duckens Nazon, Haiti's all-time leading goal scorer, was already seated on a plane at Tehran airport, ready for takeoff, when a message from a friend in Israel changed everything. The friend warned of war alarms sounding in Israel. Seconds later, the cabin chief ordered everyone off the plane, announcing that war had started and the sky was closed. Nazon, 32, described entering survival mode instantly.
An Improvised Escape
Nazon, who plays for Tehran-based Esteghlal FC, was en route to Paris to secure a visa ahead of the upcoming World Cup, where Haiti will compete after a 52-year absence. Instead, he embarked on a harrowing road escape across a country at war, eventually crossing into Azerbaijan. The striker, a former Coventry City player, expressed relief that his wife and four children were safe in Morocco, having struggled to settle in Tehran. He noted that being alone allowed him to think and move faster.
After disembarking, Nazon met teammate Munir El Haddadi, who had also been forced off a flight. The club organized transport for several players. As they drove back toward Tehran, they witnessed explosions nearby, with one strike occurring just 100 meters away. Nazon admitted that reflecting on the experience later was chilling.
Communication and Border Challenges
With communications largely down, Nazon used a team security official's phone for a brief window of connectivity. He contacted his family and asked his wife to book a flight from Azerbaijan. He also purchased an eSIM, which proved crucial near the border. After hours of waiting for delayed transport, he embarked on a 20-hour drive toward Azerbaijan, witnessing strikes in the sky along the way.
At the border, officials initially refused entry, demanding additional paperwork. However, with intermittent signal from his Azerbaijan eSIM, Nazon reached the French Embassy and his representatives, eventually securing passage out. Two days later, he boarded a flight to Paris.
Reflections on Conflict and Football
The experience left Nazon reflecting on the human cost of war. He questioned why people lose their lives and families, and prayed for peace. His future at club level remains uncertain; he has a year left on his contract with Esteghlal and would return if conditions stabilized.
For now, Nazon's focus is on the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Haiti's qualification ended a 52-year wait, achieved despite playing all matches away due to gang violence. Nazon struggles to fully process the milestone, saying he will realize it only when he steps onto the pitch for a World Cup game, which gives him goosebumps.
World Cup Ambitions
Drawn against Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland, Haiti faces a daunting task, but Nazon insists they will not be intimidated. He carries pride from his upbringing in a working-class suburb of Paris and his Haitian roots. His idol is Brazil striker Ronaldo, and as a number nine himself, Nazon dreams of scoring in the World Cup, regardless of the opponent. Asked about making Haitians proud, he paused, overwhelmed with emotion, calling it unbelievable.
