When Joy-Lance Mickels walks onto the pitch at Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League, he will not only be living out a childhood dream. The Rwanda international will also be carrying the hopes of a nation eager to see its players make a mark on football's biggest stages. The 32-year-old forward is expected to lead the line for Azerbaijani champions Sabah FC when they begin their historic Champions League campaign against the English giants. For Mickels, the occasion is deeply personal. I watch every [Man Utd] game when I can, he said. It was the best draw we got in my opinion. It makes it even better because we're going to play in Old Trafford. The Rwandan forward told BBC. ALSO READ: Mickels nearly quit football, now he’s in the UEFA Champions League Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world so it will be a proud moment to step out on to the pitch. While much attention will be on Manchester United, the bigger story for Rwandan football is the remarkable journey of a player whose path to the Champions League has been far from conventional. Born and raised in Germany to Rwandan parents, Mickels spent years developing his game in Germany's lower divisions before taking his career across Europe and the Middle East. His persistence is now being rewarded with a place among football's elite. Sabah's qualification for the Champions League is one of the biggest achievements in the club's brief history. Founded only nine years ago, the Azerbaijani side fought through four qualifying rounds to reach the league phase, with Mickels playing a decisive role. The striker scored four goals during qualification, including a crucial strike that helped Sabah eliminate Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva in a dramatic playoff tie. Reaching the Champions League is a historic achievement for Sabah and starting the league phase at Old Trafford makes it even more exciting, Mickels said. At the same time, we're not going there only to enjoy the atmosphere. We want to compete to represent not only our club but Azerbaijan in the best possible way and show we deserve to be there. For Rwanda, Mickels' achievement carries special significance. Having made his debut for the Amavubi in March, he is now on course to become one of the few players with Rwandan roots to feature in the Champions League proper. The forward believes his journey can serve as inspiration for the next generation. I'm very proud of my Rwandan roots, he said. Representing Rwanda whilst playing the Champions League is very, very special. I hope my journey can help inspire young Rwandan players and show them that with belief, hard work and patience, it is possible to reach the pinnacle of football. His story arrives at a time when Rwanda continues investing in football development and searching for greater representation in Europe's top competitions. Mickels' rise demonstrates that there is no single pathway to success. After Manchester United, Sabah will face a series of glamorous European opponents including Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal. Despite being considered underdogs, Mickels insists the club does not intend to merely make up the numbers. Every match in the Champions League is special because you are competing against some of the best teams and players in Europe, he said. Of course, Manchester United and Barcelona immediately stood out because of their history and global reputation. Playing at Old Trafford and welcoming Barcelona to Baku are the kinds of occasions every footballer dreams about. Last season, Mickels scored 19 league goals as Sabah won their maiden Azerbaijani league title. Yet he understands the challenge awaiting his side in Europe. Still, he remains determined to embrace the moment while proving Sabah belongs among the continent's elite. We want to be competitive in every match and demonstrate the qualities that brought us this far, he said. We know that the level will be extremely high, but we believe in ourselves and the strength of our team. We want to gain valuable experience, create memorable moments for our supporters and earn as many points as possible. As the famous Champions League anthem rings around Old Trafford, Mickels will be chasing more than a result. The Rwanda international will be showing young footballers back home that dreams can travel from humble beginnings to the grandest stages in world football. And regardless of the outcome against Manchester United, that achievement alone is already part of Rwandan football history.
