Zira FK and new Rwanda star Leroy Mickels continues hot form in Azerbaijan

Zira FK forward Leroy-Jacques Mickels enjoyed a strong start to life with the Rwanda national team during his debut appearances for Amavubi and he has brought his scoring touch back to the Azerbaijan Premier League.

 

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Mickels opened the scoring against a former club on Tuesday in Zira’s 1-1 draw with Shamakhi FC. Unfortunately, despite a red card issued to the visitors early in the second half, Shamakhi equalized in stoppage time to share the spoils with their hosts.

The German-born attacker was given the start and finished with a low strike in the 69th minute. He played the full match for Zira for the first time in 2026.

Rwanda debut inspires strong form at club Zira FK

Over the March FIFA window, Mickels joined older brothers Joy-Lance and Joy-Slayd to debut for Rwanda in the regional FIFA Series hosted by the East African country. All three brothers featured in the two matches against Grenada and Estonia and made instant impacts, with Leroy and Joy-Lance each scoring.

#FIFASeries 🏆 Final

⚽ Goaaaaaaal

Leroy Mickels 53′

Rwanda 2-0 Estonia

🎥 @chrismiga_ #Murisiporonigitego pic.twitter.com/iMn5gPR8W2

— B&B Kigali 89.7 FM (@bbkigalifm) March 30, 2026

The brothers were given a hero’s welcome by the home supporters, who turned out in massive numbers to support their national team over both matches and were left impressed by the dual national recruits.

Leroy spent most of his career in his country of birth. A graduate of the youth academy of Borussia Mönchengladbach, he spent over eight seasons bouncing between the fourth, fifth and third divisions of German football before venturing abroad. After brief spells in Bulgaria and the second tier of the Saudi football pyramid, he spent a season with Shamakhi before joining his current club.

Mickels returned from the FIFA Series by coming on as a late substitute to score in a 2-0 victory at Turan Tovuz before earning the start and scoring again on Tuesday.

 

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It is an important stretch for Mickels and his club, making Tuesday’s result a disappointing one. Zira are in fourth place on the league table, six points back of third place Turan Tovuz and potential qualification for continental competition next season with seven league matches remaining.

However, they also remain in the hunt for cup glory with a semifinal second leg coming up against Turan, who they will host in the second leg after a 2-0 result in the first leg away from home.