JOY-LANCE MICKELS MAKES RWANDA PROUD AS SABAH FK QUALIFY FOR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGU
Rwandan international Joy-Lance Mickels scored as Sabah FK produced a stunning comeback to secure a historic place in the UEFA Champions League league phase.
KIGALI, RWANDA — Rwandan international Joy-Lance Mickels has made history after helping Azerbaijan’s Sabah FK qualify for the UEFA Champions League league phase for the first time in the club’s history.
Sabah completed a remarkable comeback on Tuesday night, defeating Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva 5–2 after extra time, securing a 6–4 aggregate victory in the Champions League play-off round.
Mickels was among the players who played a crucial role in Sabah’s extraordinary qualifying campaign, and he capped the historic night by getting on the scoresheet in extra time.
The qualification means Rwanda will have a player competing in the UEFA Champions League league phase — one of the biggest stages in European club football.
A REMARKABLE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JOURNEY
Sabah began their Champions League campaign in the first qualifying round and faced a difficult route to the league phase.
Their journey included four opponents from four different European countries:
🇽🇰 The New Saints — Wales
🇫🇮 KuPS — Finland
🇩🇰 AGF — Denmark
🇮🇱 Hapoel Be’er Sheva — Israel
Mickels featured throughout the campaign and repeatedly made an impact at important moments.
According to UEFA statistics, Mickels had made seven appearances and scored three goals before the decisive stage of the play-off tie, with his contribution continuing to grow as Sabah moved closer to history.
⚽ MICKELS DELIVERS WHEN IT MATTERS
Mickels announced himself early in the qualifying campaign.
Against Welsh champions The New Saints, he scored in Sabah’s 2–1 away victory in the second leg, helping the Azerbaijani side progress.
He was also on target against Finnish club KuPS, scoring in Sabah’s 2–0 second-leg victory in Finland.
The biggest test came against Danish side AGF Aarhus.
After Sabah lost the first leg 2–1 in Denmark, they produced a sensational performance in the return match, winning 4–0 and progressing 5–2 on aggregate.
Mickels scored again, playing an important role in another memorable European night.
🔥 ANOTHER COMEBACK AGAINST HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA
Sabah entered the play-off round knowing that one final obstacle stood between them and the Champions League league phase.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva won the first leg 2–1, meaning Sabah needed a victory in the return match to keep their dream alive.
The second leg turned into a dramatic night.
Hapoel took the lead through Igor Zlatanović, but Sabah responded through Christian Nwachukwu.
Hapoel restored their advantage through Guy Mizrahi, leaving Sabah facing elimination.
But the Azerbaijani side refused to surrender.
Umarali Rakhmonaliev equalised, before Tellur Mutallimov scored late to force extra time and bring the aggregate score level.
Sabah then took control in extra time.
Patrick Orphe Mbina put Sabah ahead before Joy-Lance Mickels found the net to complete a remarkable 5–2 victory.
Sabah had turned a first-leg defeat into a historic qualification.
🇷🇼 A SPECIAL MOMENT FOR RWANDA
For Rwanda, Mickels’ achievement represents another significant milestone for the country’s footballers on the international stage.
The 32-year-old winger, who represents Rwanda internationally, has now helped Sabah reach the biggest stage of European club football.
UEFA lists Mickels as a Rwanda international and records him as a Sabah player wearing the number 20 shirt.
His performances throughout the qualifying campaign have made him one of Sabah’s key attacking players.
And on the night when his club made history, Mickels once again delivered.
🏆 SABAH FK MAKE CLUB HISTORY
Sabah FK are a relatively young club, founded in 2017, but they have now achieved something that will remain in their history forever.
They have gone through four qualifying rounds and eliminated opponents from Wales, Finland, Denmark and Israel to reach the UEFA Champions League league phase.
The victory over Hapoel Be’er Sheva confirmed their place among Europe’s elite clubs for the 2026/27 campaign.
For Sabah, it is a historic achievement.
For Mickels, it is another major milestone in his career.
And for Rwanda, it is a moment to celebrate.
🇷🇼 RWANDA HAS A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAYER
Joy-Lance Mickels has now taken his journey to another level.
From his early career in Germany to becoming an important player for Sabah FK and representing Rwanda internationally, Mickels has reached a stage that very few Rwandan footballers have experienced.
Now, the Rwandan flag will be represented on one of the biggest stages in European football.
Sabah FK are in the UEFA Champions League league phase.
Joy-Lance Mickels is there.
And Rwanda is there with him. 🇷🇼🏆🔥
JOY-LANCE MICKELS — CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2026/27
🇷🇼 Nationality: Rwanda
🇦🇿 Club: Sabah FK
👕 Shirt number: 20
⚽ Position: Forward/Winger
Competition: UEFA Champions League
League phase: QUALIFIED
⚽ Goals in the campaign: 4 according to UEFA’s latest statistics Assists: 1
WHAT A PLAYER. WHAT A JOURNEY. WHAT A MOMENT FOR RWANDA
The UEFA figures currently show 8 Champions League appearances, 4 goals and 1 assist, so I used the latest UEFA numbers rather than the earlier seven-match figure
