Joy-Lance Mickels fulfilled a lifelong dream on Wednesday night when he stepped onto the Old Trafford pitch as a UEFA Champions League player, facing his boyhood club Manchester United in Sabah FK's league-phase encounter against the English giants. For the Rwandan international, the occasion was the realisation of a dream years in the making, as he competed at one of football's most iconic venues against the team he grew up supporting. It was a special feeling for me, Mickels said after the match. I have supported Manchester United since I was a child, so to play against them at Old Trafford in the Champions League is something I will never forget. It is a dream come true, even though the result was disappointing. Sabah FK suffered a 4-0 defeat against a star-studded United side, with goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Šeško and Lisandro Martínez securing victory for the hosts. Despite the scoreline, Mickels emerged from the contest with memories that will last a lifetime as he tested himself against some of the world's best players on European football's biggest club stage. The 32-year-old was handed a starting role in attack and showed confidence throughout the evening, working tirelessly against United's defence and looking to create opportunities whenever Sabah ventured forward. There was even a moment when Mickels looked capable of producing one of the night's biggest surprises. With the score still level in the opening stages, the forward found space at the back post but could not direct his effort on target, letting slip a golden chance that could have given the Azerbaijani visitors a shock lead. At this level, you have to take every opportunity, he reflected. I had a chance in the first half and, looking back, I wish I had done better with it. Against top teams like Manchester United, those moments are very important. Mickels played a key role in helping Sabah reach the Champions League league phase. His four goals during the qualifying rounds proved instrumental in the Azerbaijani club's historic progression to the competition.
