Rwanda international Joy-Lance Mickels made history on Tuesday night after helping Azerbaijani side Sabah FK qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club's history. The 32-year-old winger crowned a remarkable European night by scoring in extra time as Sabah produced a stunning comeback to beat Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva 5-2, sealing a 6-4 aggregate victory in the Champions League play-off round. Mickels struck in the 115th minute, putting the finishing touches on a memorable performance that secured Sabah's place in Europe's premier club competition after a qualifying campaign that began in the first qualifying round. The achievement marks a landmark moment for Rwandan football, with Mickels becoming the first player representing Rwanda to reach the UEFA Champions League league phase. After the final whistle, an emotional Mickels struggled to hold back tears as he reflected on one of the greatest moments of his career. The stadium was so loud. I was crying after the final whistle because I couldn't believe what had just happened, Mickels said after the match. The winger admitted he never stopped believing, even as the game entered its closing stages. I was praying during the last minutes. I was asking God to give us one more goal, one miracle goal. What happened tonight is something special and I will never forget it. Mickels credited the team's resilience, determination and unity for the historic achievement. We fought until the end. Nobody gave up. We believed in ourselves and in our teammates. This is the reward for all the hard work we have put in, he said. For Sabah, qualification for the Champions League league phase represents the greatest achievement in the club's history. For Mickels, it also offers the opportunity to compete against some of Europe's biggest clubs on football's grandest stage. This is why you play football—for moments like this. Reaching the Champions League is a dream for every player. We have made history for the club, and now we want to enjoy every moment of it, he added. The historic qualification has also placed Rwanda firmly on the Champions League map. UEFA officially recognizes Mickels as a Rwanda international, making his success another milestone for the country's growing football profile. Having guided Sabah from the opening qualifying rounds to the league phase, Mickels could now line up against some of the biggest names in European football. The draw of the League Phase is scheduled for Thursday, August 27. Mickels made his Rwanda debut in March during the FIFA Series in Kigali. He was joined in the national team by his twin brother, Joy-Slayd Mickels, who plays for Hibernians FC in Malta. Their younger brother, Leroy Mickels, who is 15 months younger, recently left Zira FK in Azerbaijan to join German third-tier side SV Waldhof Mannheim.
